Positive Changes: U. S. in Iraq and with Iran

Positive Changes, U. S. in Iraq, and With Iran One can be a little encouraged with the positive news, that has been emanating out of Iraq, regarding the situation on the ground. The daily casualties of U. S. soldiers and civilians, have been reduced significantly, thanks in part to the surge in U. S. forces into Iraq, and the assistance that the U. S. troops, are getting from the Iraqi soldiers, and various local groups, who have gotten totally tired of the terrorist groups and the suicidal bombers, who have been attacking civilians and the U. S. troops. In fact, not a positive comparison, but there have been more deaths of U. S. troops, in Afghanistan recently, than in Iraq. Now comes the news from the Iraqi Government, headed by Prime Minister, Al Maliki, that they would like a timetable, to be put in place by the U. S. Government, to withdraw the American troops from Iraq, or they want the troops out immediately. The Iraqi Government is also, calling on the U. S. Government, to not establish permanent military bases in Iraq, unless the Iraqi Government is in full control of the bases. This is a major difference in President Bush's and Senator McCain's positions, on troops and military bases in Iraq. This means that the Iraqi's are doing, what was answered by the Bush administration, that if the U. S. Government was asked to leave Iraq, than we would leave. The Bush administration, responded that the Prime Minister is not requesting a firm withdrawal for the U. S. troops. Which is in total contrast to what the Iraq Government is stating. There is a negotiation currently in process, which is a called a Status of Forces Agreement, within which, Prime Minister Al Maliki wants an immediate withdrawal, or a definitive timetable, for withdrawal, of American troops. Senator McCain has proposed, that the U. S. Government stay in Iraq, for a long period of time, many years, as in South Korea. It appears that the Iraqi Government, is not interested in that scenario. Al Maliki stated this week, that he believed his government, had defeated terrorism in his country, this may be momentarily true, but he believes what he says. Senator Obama, has said he wants to bring the troops out of Iraq, in a reasonable time frame. So this development tends to favor Senator Obama's position. If I might enter my opinion here for a moment, I had said to myself, why doesn't the Iraqi Government tell us to leave the country, that would stop the argument over time frames, since the federal government had said,we would honor the sovereign government of Iraq's wishes.

By gosh, Al Maliki did just that. He also said that the Iraqi Government would not accept any memorandum that would not include a time table which includes withdrawal, of American troops. Senator McCain recently said it would depend on situations on the ground in Iraq. He said in 2004, we would honor the wishes of the sovereign government of Iraq, that the U. S. troops would withdraw. Now what? Do we stay there as occupiers, in a country that wants the American troops to leave now. People who want to continue to fight a war in a country, that wants to control their own, seem to have a counter intuitive position. Since the terrorism has abated, to a great degree, and the Iraqi people have created a sovereign government, with their votes, we should be able to bring the troops home. A small contingency of American troops, along with the Iraqi troops, their police and the local factions, helping their government, should hopefully be enough, to keep things under control, in Iraq.

This would allow the vast amount of American troops, to come home, if not now, when? The billions of dollars being spent there, could be well spent on American citizens and soil. Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has signaled through reports, that his country has no plans of war with either the United States or Israel. This was good news for the U. S. stock market, which had shown worry over the possibility of conflict in the Middle East, between Israel and Iran. The U. S. carrier, which had been stationed in the Persian Gulf has been removed, allowing for a reduction in perceived tension, between the U. S. Government and Iran. Iran has also stated through reports, that they are willing to talk to the International community, regarding assistance with Iran's domestic nuclear production. This would appear to be a very positive development, in foreign affairs. The oil market responded today with a reduction in oil price, per gallon, from a high of around $145 to a lower price of $136, sometime, before the closing. These things are certainly open to change as we all know, but certainly a little good news, on these two fronts, is a very good thing indeed. Fingers crossed.