John McCain called the withdrawal of troops from Iraq by the end of the year a “serious mistake.”
“I think it’s a serious mistake. And there was never really serious negotiations between the administration and the Iraqis. They could have clearly made an arrangement for U.S. troops,” McCain said on This Week.
Yes, I’m here in the region. And, yes, it is viewed in the region as a victory for the Iranians,” he added. “So I think it’s — it’s a serious mistake. I believe we could have negotiated an agreement. And I’m very, very concerned about increased Iranian influence in Iraq.”
It isn't our job to protect Iraq into the indefinite future. We can't afford it. Senator McCain wants to cut social programs and invest less in America, but then he wants to spend more on Iraq.
Those are skewed priorities.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRe: "I believe we could have negotiated an agreement. And I’m very, very concerned about increased Iranian influence in Iraq."
Earth to the Sclerotic Senator McCain: The Iraqis are doing what they want, not what the U.S. wants. They want the U.S. out. Because it's their country.
The Iraqis happen to prefer Iran to the United States. Well surprise, surprise. An adjacent Islamic country that has not invaded them and trashed their country.
McCain can tee-up the same speech when the Afghanis tells us to get lost.
BTW, someone tell me again how "Briliant" "Warrior-Hero" David Petreaus is given how his Nation Building efforts have played out.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"The Iraqis happen to prefer Iran to the United States. Well surprise, surprise. An adjacent Islamic country that has not invaded them and trashed their country."
Heh.
What about that kerfuffle known as the Iran-Iraq war, which cost the lives of more than 500,000? What about Iran's air attacks on Iraq, including Baghdad?
At the very least, Iraq's Sunnis and Kurds would not be happy to see Shia Iranians regain influence in their country.
(apparently the Automatic Bowdlerizer prissily forbids the adjectival form of Shia)
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWell duh... Iraq invaded Iran for starters.
And about the Kurds and the Sunnis, unfortunately life ain't fair, America stinks at World Cop and we can't afford it anymore.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSo Iraq "likes" Iran....because the former invaded the latter rather than vice versa?
The Iraqi Kurds and Sunnis, who fear and despise Shias, "like" Shia Iran?
Your incoherence is boundless, sirrah.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhatever. It's their business. The Iraqi's act on what they believe is their best interests. Just like the United States does.
Nobody tells us how we should relate to Canada.
Explain how that is incoherent.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYou've wandered far from your pointless point.
In the end you offer nothing more than empty platitudes about national interests, when it's clear that "Iraq" is barely a nation, and that its inability to behave like one is what made us go to war against it.
But as you (lamely) say in your (lame) responses to me:
Whatever.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRe: "The Iraqi Kurds and Sunnis, who fear and despise Shias, "like" Shia Iran?"
If my arguments are lame, yours are paralyzing in their stupidity.
Iraq is a majority Shia country. So the Shia have the most influence. When will an (expensive) American Military presence change that ratio?
And there have been ethnic tensions in Iraq since that country was founded. But at least they got along somewhat. But the result of the American presence created balkanized ethnic ghettos. When will an (expensive) American Military presence change that balkanization?
Regardless of how noble you think this protracted occupation is, perception is reality. Many Iraqis at some level despise Americans.
How many do think have not seen the Collateral Murder video?
External Link
How many Iraqis have experienced, witnessed or heard of accounts of themselves, family members or fellow citizens being, abused or beat down by American Blackwater goons? Or collaterally wounded or killed by American troops?
That is the Iraqi reality of American Nation Building.
OBTW, there are plenty of dysfunctional countries on this planet. You tell me which ones America should "rescue" next.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThanks for your service. But also for Obama with your awful campaign. Retire already, along with any other Republican who thinks America should go to war with every country on the globe.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYes, of course, because diverting a relatively small amount of funds from ineffective government programs to maintain a base of operation that the US spent 4,400 lives to acquire, next door to an Islamist regime dedicated to the destruction of Israel and hatred of the United States, that also happens to be close to acquiring nuclear weapons, and positioned to dominate one of the most important economic areas on the globe is definitely a misplaced priority.
The United States will regret this decision. That much is clear, the question is only how high the price will be.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseVery little of the comments address the logistical nightmare created by the precipitous withdrawal of our troops. How much military equipment, ammunition, armor, etc. will we have to abandon because we don't have the means of withdrawing it in the relatively short period remaining? It's a boondoggle of the highest order.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMcCain should have worried about increased Iranian influence in Iraq before we invaded and occupied It didn't take a Rocket Scientist to know that removing Saddam would lead to the Shia taking over the country. Saddam was a bad guy, but he was a secularist. Christians thrived in the old Iraq. Now they're fleeing to Syria. But wait, McCain wants to bring down the secular Syrian government too.
The new Libya will be governed by Sharia law. That's great news!! Thank you John McCain.
Why anyone listens to the crazed Mad Man John McCain is beyond me.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI could be convinced that the United States should continue to prosecute the Iraq War. But those arguing that we should - who refuse to identify a military objective to the war that would further the common defense and general welfare of the United States - have made me more and more comfortable with the President's decision.
In the unlikely event that Iran - after being unable to for generations - is now able to exercise significant control over Iraq, it will be because Iraqis are too ignorant, weak, bigoted and barbaric to work together as a nation to maintain their sovereignty.
In which case they, like other peoples who could have but who failed to maintain their independence from a relatively equal foe - will fully deserve the consequences of their voluntary actions.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYes, please let the Republican position be that we should stay in Iraq longer. Please.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI understand the sentiment. But it actually is better when the other major political party is not entirely insane.
On the other hand, you may have a point. It does seem that the current Republican Party is going to have to go down in flames before it returns to its roots as a respectable political party.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseLOL...he said as a few hundred Marxists protest for Obama dressed as vagabonds and demanding unlimited living wages for life in exchange for free healthcare, free college and never having to work again. Ever.
Yeah, that's sane. And I'm sure a string of fascist, Islamist governments from Tunisa to Turkey is nothing to worry about. As long as Obama's poll numbers go up, who cares how many people die.
Or, in you glee to pat Obama on the back, have you forgotten the "civil war" you all declared in Iraq in 2005? Nah, never mind, a bunch of dead Arabs ain't your concern as long as Obama's polls go up.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHow could it have been a serious mistake? Obama's overnights jumped 3 points to 43%. I'd say that is exactly what he wanted to happen.
Polls are, after all, the point of the withdrawal... Obama's plan is to turn the greater Middle East over to Iran... and to try and get some of his base to come home in time for the elections. It's not a National Security posture, it's a re-election ploy. Nothing more.
If you're an Islamist, Obama is The Man!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI'm concerned about the future geopolitical aspects to our abrupt departure. No, I don't discount the near-term political advantage to Obama with his base. Nor do I discount the fact that we cannot be the protector for Iraq going forward. But couldn't the same arguments be made for Korea and Germany?
There is no question that the neighbor Iran has considerable sway in Iraq. But there is also a countervailing neighbor too, Saudi Arabia. If one considers the history of Iraq and the battles waged between Saudi Arabia and Iran over Iraq, the ascendancy of Iran in the Middle East will provoke some serious unintended consequences for the United States.
There is already a major dispute between Iran and Saudi Arabia over the future of Bahrain. This dispute may well light the fuse to this burgeoning power keg. However, the future of Iraq and the impending battle between Sunni and Shiah is just as likely to ignite into a full blown battle. And, last I checked, we still receive a sizable (and growing) portion of our oil from the Middle East.
Whether or not we should have invaded Iraq is immaterial. But to ignore the unintended consequences of our abrupt departure in misguided. As for how the Iraqis view our ongoing involvement, I believe that depends on which neighbor carries the bigger stick. Clearly with the Obama administration, we have intentionally minimized our influence to our likely future detriment.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAh what's this?
"Wisdom" from the same old man who was hanging out with Ghaddafi just a couple years ago and telling us all how "interesting" he was?
They wanted us to leave, barring that they refused to give US Troops diplomatic immunity for any crimes they might commit while in Iraq.
Furthermore, it was Bush the Younger that set the 2011 withdrawal date in the first place.
So, what is the problem?
And of course, there were no WMD and Iraq was not a threat to the US, so the entire reason for the invasion was bogus anyway.
No reason to stay there now...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOne sure way to get Obama re-elected is for Republicans to call for more troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. One doesn't have to be a Ron Paul supporter (which I'm not) to see the madness in this.
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