USS Redskins Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 I gotta give the guy credit. In 2008 I was sure he was going to be a disaster in the war on terror but after almost 3 years he has, among other things: Continued the fight in Afghanistan - and put Petreus in charge and following his guide, should lead to a stable gov't and withdrawl in 2014. Plus killed thousands of terrorists Pretty much closed out Iraq following established withdrawl timetables but held the line there too. Ordered the kill of Bin Laden Ordered the kill of Zakawri (sorry for spelling) just recently Established secret panel to decide kill targets Supported Libyan rebellion by ordering drone and air strikes plus on site advisors I truly want to give the President credit. He has established himself as one of the great war time presidents. Not at all what he campaigned on, won a peace prize for or apologized on behalf of this country for in 2009. The naive 2008 candidate Obama has turned into a great foreign affairs leader in the fight on terror. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbear Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 I still like my neighbor's reaction to Libya news last night. "Greetings from Pan Am 103" It's one of those situations where I differ from many on the left. I prefer a fighting for a decision point rather than allow fighting for generations, even if it means more blood up front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thiebear Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 This is why i give people a hard time about: Qualified Presidential Candidates? President Obama had 2 nickels to his name on foreign policy and has come out the Guru of the last 20 years. Bush shocked everyone on his African Aids campaign that saved millions. you never know what your going to get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan T. Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 - Withdrawing from Iraq, increased focus on Afghanistan, targeting terrorists, making Bin Laden a top priority is pretty much exactly what he campaigned on. - "Secret panel" is a loaded, inaccurate term. The White House sought input from a group of Justice Department attorneys on the legality of targeting Anwar al-Awlaki. It wasn't secret to those with security clearance and a need to know. - "Apology tour" is Fox News/Free Republic-speak. Others saw it differently. Otherwise, I agree with your post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koolblue13 Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Obama never campaigned on Peace. He was always pro War. It was on his website and I'll never understand where that notion came from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnyderShrugged Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Shutting down Iraq, increased focus on Afghanistan, targeting terrorists, making Bin Laden a top priority is pretty much exactly what he campaigned on. - "Secret panel" is a loaded, inaccurate term. The White House sought input from a group of Justice Department attorneys on the legality of targeting Anwar al-Awlaki. It wasn't secret to those with security clearance and a need to know. - "Apology tour" is Fox News/Free Republic-speak. Others saw it differently. Otherwise, I agree with your post. what do you mean by "shutting down Iraq"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan T. Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 what do you mean by "shutting down Iraq"? Ending U.S. combat operations in Iraq. Sorry, sloppy writing...I'll edit my post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
visionary Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Ordered the kill of Zakawri (sorry for spelling) just recently . Do you mean Awlawki? (and son) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 He has certainly pleasantly exceeded my expectations in the WOT. His politics and FP issues are another matter,but nobody's perfect. I never knew all it would take to stop the creating terrorists meme was bad mouthing the US and winning a Nobel peace prize. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnyderShrugged Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Ending U.S. combat operations in Iraq. Sorry, sloppy writing...I'll edit my post. S'ok, I think I had understood what you meant initially. I'm more on the point that we still have plenty of troops in Iraq despite his claims and promises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan T. Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 S'ok, I think I had understood what you meant initially. I'm more on the point that we still have plenty of troops in Iraq despite his claims and promises. I talked to Barak about your post, so...Obama Announces Full American Troop Withdrawal From Iraq October 21, 2011 - Yahoo News Blog President Obama announced a nearly complete withdrawal of American military forces from Iraq by the end of the year during a press conference Friday afternoon. "Today, I can report that as promised, the rest of our troops in Iraq will come home from Iraq at the end of this year," Obama said. "After nine years, America's war in Iraq will be over. Over the next two months our troops in Iraq--tens of thousands of them--will pack up their gear and board convoys for the journey home." Obama also affirmed that he has been in talks with Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and that the government was in agreement with the drawdown. "We are in full agreement about how to move forward," Obama said said. Although it was extended several times, the timeline was originally drafted under former President Bush and was a top policy initiative when Obama was campaigning to be president in 2007 and 2008. http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/obama-announce-full-troop-drawdown-iraq-164843571.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnyderShrugged Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Obama Announces Full American Troop Withdrawal From IraqOctober 21, 2011 - Yahoo News Blog President Obama announced a nearly complete withdrawal of American military forces from Iraq by the end of the year during a press conference Friday afternoon. "Today, I can report that as promised, the rest of our troops in Iraq will come home from Iraq at the end of this year," Obama said. "After nine years, America's war in Iraq will be over. Over the next two months our troops in Iraq--tens of thousands of them--will pack up their gear and board convoys for the journey home." Obama also affirmed that he has been in talks with Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and that the government was in agreement with the drawdown. "We are in full agreement about how to move forward," Obama said said. Although it was extended several times, the timeline was originally drafted under former President Bush and was a top policy initiative when Obama was campaigning to be president in 2007 and 2008. http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/obama-announce-full-troop-drawdown-iraq-164843571.html Just saw the thread! Great news! Albeit a little late. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 headline -full withdrawal story- nearly complete wiggle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan T. Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 headline -full withdrawalstory- nearly complete wiggle Per the article, "nearly complete" means 160 soldiers stationed at the U.S. Embassy. Not much wiggle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.A.C.O.L.B. Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Obama never campaigned on Peace. He was always pro War. It was on his website and I'll never understand where that notion came from. People project. They don't listen. They're ****ing idiots. And that definitely includes liberals. I went to the Inauguration and it was blowing my mind what people were saying. It was like nobody listened to anything the man had to say about what he wanted to do as president. Conservatives (or whatever they are) are the complete opposite but in the same boat. They didn't listen, they projected--just in a negative, horrifying (to them) way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimmySmith Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 I do find it amusing that while Congress is still bickering over the venue for terrorist trials, Obama has adopted a policy of letting Allah sort it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
@DCGoldPants Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Who would have guessed a few years ago that this guy with no foreign policy past had more chops than Team-Cheney and their 3 decades of "experience"? Probably says a lot about being pragmatic and when saying we're listing to "Generals", actually listening and not trying to squeeze what they say under some ideological concept. However, I'd rather have the 800 billion back at this time of economy crisis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Per the article, "nearly complete" means 160 soldiers stationed at the U.S. Embassy. Not much wiggle. a earlier in depth article said some would remain for training and liaison....I never trust a short article but these things are fluid by nature and subject to change if a SOFA is reached Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madison Redskin Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 a earlier in depth article said some would remain for training and liaison....I never trust a short articlebut these things are fluid by nature and subject to change if a SOFA is reached Correct if I'm wrong twa, but I believe that option was on the table at one point and has been shot down. I think it was formally decided all but the embassy guards would be pulled on or before 12/31/11. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVAbrendan Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbear Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Ok, so with the military mostly gone (only 160 left), the question remains, "How many contractors will reaming to train iraqi forces?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancalagon the Black Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 a earlier in depth article said some would remain for training and liaison....I never trust a short articlebut these things are fluid by nature and subject to change if a SOFA is reached As a result, the only U.S. military presence that will remain in Iraq after the end of the year will be the roughly 150 troops needed to protect the large U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad and its thousands of American diplomats and other personnel, as well as provide training related to new military sales and other tasks. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/all-us-troops-to-leave-iraq/2011/10/21/gIQAUyJi3L_story.html?hpid=z1 Looks as though the 150 number includes the personnel who are going to be doing the training. But, as you say, a new agreement would alter this on the spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
visionary Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Ok, so with the military mostly gone (only 160 left), the question remains, "How many contractors will reaming to train iraqi forces?" http://twitter.com/#!/nicolegaouette Around 4,000 to 5,000 security contractors will be needed in Iraq after troops are gone, White House says. 22 minutes ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbear Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Sounds good, especially if measures are taken to ensure safety to the extent possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 http://twitter.com/#!/nicolegaouette OT ,but I read a interesting article the other day about how popular security contracting for the US is among the Ugandans(Iraq and Afghanistan) They get paid like crap relatively,but it is a fortune to them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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