So which is it?

| August 11, 2010

Associated Press released this story a few minutes ago announcing that the White House is certifying the timetable withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq;

But The Guardian says al Qaeda might be making a come back;

Al-Qaida is attempting to make a comeback in Iraq by enticing scores of former Sunni allies to rejoin the terrorist group by paying them more than the monthly salary they currently receive from the government, two key US-backed militia leaders have told the Guardian.

They said al-Qaida leaders were exploiting the imminent departure of US fighting troops to ramp up a membership drive, in an attempt to show that they are still a powerful force in the country after seven years of war.

Al-Qaida is also thought to be moving to take advantage of a power vacuum created by continuing political instability in Iraq, which remains without a functional government more than five months after a general election.

So I wonder which is the right answer. Are the Democrats going to abandon the Iraqis like they did the South Vietnamese (yes, the Republicans abandoned the South Vietnamese, too for political expediency). I have a sense that we’ve been here before.

Video from Fox News, apparently the only network covering the Sons of Iraq aspect;

Category: Barack Obama/Joe Biden, Military issues

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Scott

Fuck the Guardian. I trust their coverage of Iraq about as much as I trust Baghdad Bob.

Ever since they printed this sack of lies (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/jun/17/iraq.rorycarroll), errantly recounting events for which I was present, with a blatant anti-American bent, I’d rather wipe my ass with that rag.

Jake

Unfortunately, this should not come as a surprise. Everyone who has been following Iraq understands Iraq is incapable of governing itself and protecting its borders from violent Islamic militants. Regardless of the surge, International terrorism is not bound by Osama bin Ladin or a central front. Al-queda has spread and grown since 9/11.

As I have traveled the middle east for the past decade, it is my experience, Islamic extremism is growing.

I do not mean total anti-American extremism. Rather, I am suggesting Islamic militancy is going to continue as long as governments in the middle east are corrupt and oppressive.

One the the State Dept has been trying to do is give aid to several countries in order to help bring economic stimulus. Unfortunately, if we look at the Islamic world. Largely, there is a combination of unemployment, oppressive governments. Couple that along with worldwide Islamaphobia, an Palestinian crisis, millions of displaced refgugees the problem is only going to continue.

Sorry to our men and woman in uniform. They can only do so much. The real problem going forward for the US is figuring out how to reduce Islamic extremism and reduce the refugee crisis in Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Saudi, Syria, Turkey, and Iran.

If we do not redirect our attentions towards those issues, the global security environment is only going to get worse.

YatYas

Good GrieF Jake, Al Qaeda is less strong now than a few years ago. Al Qaeda is even more oppresive then the governments you mention. One big problem has been those on the left and the MSM that have given these extremists a pass for their atrocities while dragging us through the mud every chance they can get. The MSM has done less of that lately with the “O”, but are still pushing for us to just give up. The way we are going, this country will be attacked successfully again.

YatYas

I would agree though Jake, that while killing Al Qaeda and the Taliban, we need to do more for the locals. We also need to work on getting the foot soldiers of Al Qaeda and the Taliban to change sides as long as they accept working within the system. This needs to be more than just military action. It is going to take a long time though.

Mew

I believe they will certainly try to stir the pot. All you have to do is follow Iraq news and everyday blasts are going off people are killed.

Cortillaen

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but being ignorant of it is worse: Iraq Army will not be ready to take control until 2020 (third paragraph). Yay for handing Iran a gift-wrapped country. *sigh*

dutch508

Maybe if the President would only sit down and talk to Iran’s President…