Obama's Iraq: Another Mission Accomplished Moment?
Mission re-accomplished, says the President:
Barack Obama says the US strategy in Iraq will shift "from a military effort led by our troops to a civilian effort led by our diplomats" by the end of this month – in a speech today trumpeting the success of his administration's policy.
"As we mark the end of America's combat mission in Iraq, a grateful America must pay tribute to all who served there," Obama tells the Disabled Veterans of America conference in Atlanta, using a phrase that recalls George Bush's ill-fated claim on 1 May 2003 that "major combat operations in Iraq have ended".
In an attempt to avoid the premature triumphalism that damaged Bush's presidency, Obama also warns: "The hard truth is we have not seen the end of American sacrifice in Iraq."
True enough. Maybe more true than Obama's letting on. We'll see how well reality matches up with that August 31st timetable. The danger of proclaiming success this week? Ironically, it carries a whiff of Obama's 'Mission Accomplished'-style auto bailout celebration. Though I do admit that I'd have scoffed if you had told me on Day 1 of Obama's presidency that he'd be more believable on Iraq than on cars.
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Comments :
May '10
Re: Obama's Iraq: Another Mission Accomplished Moment?
Sounds like smoke and mirrors to me. I don't think they'll draw down significant numbers of troops. They'll just call them something different - community enhancement coordinators or something. Besides, I thought the military provided a good deal of security for diplomats as part of their mission.
Jun '10
Re: Obama's Iraq: Another Mission Accomplished Moment?
Obama is just surging diplomnts.
May '10
Re: Obama's Iraq: Another Mission Accomplished Moment?
I was telling myself just the other day that what Iraq needs is more Obama-appointed diplomats.
Hey, wonder what Joseph Wilson is up to these days? There's a man who can lead a civilian effort.
Jul '10
Re: Obama's Iraq: Another Mission Accomplished Moment?
James, let's give the President credit. He didn't blow it. His base wanted him to, yet he didn't. He's right, you're right, it's not done. Of course, we know who really deserves the credit, American & allied armed forces.
That said, Pres. Bush deserves credit for reversing field, Sen. McCain deserves credit for demanding that he do so, and Pres. Obama deserves credit for taking advantage of the opportunity they provided.