Debating the Withdrawal
In a bit more of an opinion piece, a writer for The Economist examines the withdrawal of American troops and what it might mean. It is interesting to note that Obama’s plan for a recall isn’t until May of 2010, a lengthy period of time for a man who originally ran on the platform of immediate withdrawal, which I would interpret to mean 1-3 months. Perhaps this was a bit naive. Regardless, the troop presence will go beyond the UN mandate that expires at the end of this year, and this is a necessary thing for al-Maliki. The real question is how exactly will this change things in Iraq, in terms of responsibilities of American troops, jurisdiction of Iraqi police and justice systems, and how al-Maliki can truly grasp his power.
Dennis Gallagher
