Top US Commander: We May Have To Stay Longer In Iraq To Combat al-Qaeda

Times London:

The activities of al-Qaeda in two of Iraq's most troubled cities could keep US combat troops engaged beyond the June 30 deadline for their withdrawal, the top US commander in the country has warned.

US troop numbers in Mosul and Baqubah, in the north of the country, could rise rather than fall over the next year if necessary, General Ray Odierno told The Times in his first interview with a British newspaper since taking over from General David Petraeus in September.

Read the whole story: Times London

Comments

[kimleehan]

No way can we leave Iraq, We can't leave all that oil for Iran, China, and Russia.

[NWNHNM]

Didn't you get the memo? More than 6 months ago, the Iraqi government signed a sweetheart deal with China for Iraqi oil.

[kimleehan]

So America sinks the well and only gets the shaft.

[Stilts9]

Barack, Odierno will stay in Iraq forever if you left him. He and his friends are making big war bucks over there.

[gladys46]

President Obama will give live updates on economy in an hour !

I always appreciate hearing it from him !!

[fya]

As a little girl, I was lucky to have my brother fight my battles (girls would get harsh language and rocks thrown at them). As I began to get older (about 10 yrs old) he told me "It's time for you to fight your own battles." Same goes for IRAQ. It's been time leave IRAQ. I opposed the war from the jumpstart and want this thing to end yesterday.

Let the IRAQIs fight for their own freedom.

[kimleehan]

Who ever controls the oil controls the world.

[Salvadore69]

Which is why we should have seriously started working on alternate energy sources during the Reagan era, rather than waiting on market conditions.

[skialethia]

Bush k_icked the can down the road to Obama. The k_ick was the surge...the can's....well, you know...the mess he made.

[secret38b]

Has anyone ever heard of something called the "twelve year war?".....

[skialethia]

Bush kicked the can down the road to Obama. The kick was the surge...the can's....well, you know...the mess he made.

[Salvadore69]

You do mean the al Queda which didn't exist in Iraq until after we invaded the country, right?

[BiggerBiggerPicture]

The US strategy to fight Al-Qeada is absolutely stupid. Essentially, it turns into a guerilla war, which might not be winnable (the US has never won a guerilla war in the past). The good strategy is to lure the Al-Queada to consolidate their base (they will because it is hard to manage a global network). Then attack the consolidated base with an overwhelming force. Now, no matter how Obama spends, the war is not winnable.

[4real]

This w ar has been going on for 8 YEARS. It's time to end this w ar and let the Iraqi people run their own country. It will be impossible to k i ll every ex trem ist or person that h 8tes america.

Bring the troops home.

[confidance government]

Well, I didn't trust him to keep his promises anymore than Bush.....
The Democratic and Republican Parties can both go to hell.

[typhanie]

These people have been fighting this war for hundreds of years, we should have NEVER got involved in the first place. I for one am ready for MY BROTHERS to come home and for the US to get the hell out ASAP. We have spent enough TIME and MONEY on this WINLESS WAR.

[omobob]

Say the secret word (al-Qaeda) and divide 84 billion dollars. Staying in Iraq to fight al-Qaeda directly benefits al-Qaeda. The war brought them to Iraq! Nothing they would like better than to have he "crusaders" stay longer. The US targets al-Qaeda and kills civilians in the process. They hate us. Look at what wrath the predator drones are drawing in Pakistan. In Afghanistan the US is ftricked into taking out rival drug lords. We are being played for fools in the Middle East. WE HAVE PRECIOUS LITTLE RELIABLE INTELL. A few can hold down the many. It’s al-Qaeda creed. All it takes is one guy to pop up and say al-Qaeda and the US destroys the mountain to get at one man—draining lives and resources. Itˇ’s what al-Qaeda wants. Hello Washington and the Pentagon. Get out now!

[naturallight]

One question: Will the Left make the same mistake that the Right did and stick by their man no matter how many lies or broken promises he makes?

Like a die hard Cubs fan. Secret Banking Secret Capitalism Secret Interrogations Secret War Plans. Now he took you for a ride on Afghanistan, he promised withdrawal in IRAQ. Caveat's do not apply in IRAQ. "Read my lips...."

[kenstrstlsks]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ all for the defense contractors.