The future of US bases in Iraq
“While the Bush administration has downplayed prospects for permanent US bases in Iraq, General John Abizaid told a House of Representatives subcommittee on Tuesday he could not rule that out.”
First he says : "No doubt there is a need for some presence in the region over time primarily to help people help themselves through this period of extremists versus moderates."
Very altruistic no ? Yes but….
“Abizaid also said the United States and its allies have a vital interest in the oil-rich region.
"Ultimately it comes down to the free flow of goods and resources on which the prosperity of our own nation and everybody else in the world depend," he said.
Resources & Vital interests – are the KEY words here folks …it was never 'solely' liberation and democracy. Which means that maybe we should not really expect the occupation/coalition bases to close that quickly in Iraq. After all they have invested a lot of money in them [the bases] did they not ? reaping the dividends is therefore expected.
Ok I’m sure many of you are pleased to see me back in my skeptical –cynical mood once more.
3 comments:
We'll need those bases to invade Iran from anyway :p
I don't want the US to maintain bases in Iraq, personally. We have bases in Turkey. Perhaps in the Kurdish areas. But anywhere else in Iraq, they'll just be targets. And provocations. When we get out of Iraq, we should GET OUT of Iraq.
Dunno why we're listening to a General's opinion about military bases, anyway, though. Such deals are made by the Department of State, and authorized by Congress. Not by military personnel. And yes, the consent of the host country is required. We still have bases in Korea after more than 50 years, but Iraq is not Korea.
Hi Programmer_Craig, I'm not sure why we are listening to Abizaid , but maybe he is echoing the annals of policy of his bosses ?
Hi H :)
His only "boss" outside of the Pentagon is the President. I suspect he's just voicing his personal opinion. And you know what they say about opinions :D
There'll be a new administration with new policies by the time the decision has to be made anyway.
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