Evening Buzz: Can Iraq "Stand on its Own?"
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/04/07/obama/art.obama.iraq.afp.gi.jpg caption="President Obama greets troops during a visit to Camp Victory on Tuesday."]
Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
At 10pm ET on AC360°, a look at President Obama's surprise visit to Iraq. The commander-in-chief met with about 600 U.S. troops at Camp Victory, near Baghdad International Airport, where he called on the Iraqi government to "stand on its own."
The president also praised the work being done by the U.S. troops saying "They're just putting their heart and soul into this."
Last month, Pres. Obama announced plans to withdraw most U.S. forces from Iraq by the end of August 2010. A residual force of up to 50,000 troops will remain until the end of 2011. Right now, there are 142,000 troops in Iraq.
Do you think the Iraqis can "stand on their own"?
Share your thoughts below.
We'll also have the latest on the pilot who's accused of stealing a plane from Canada and then leading U.S. fighter jets on a mad dash through several states last night. Investigators say the pilot had a death wish.
Join us for these stories and much more in about 15 minutes.
See you then!
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Filed under: Maureen Miller • The Buzz |
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Time will tell---The US did their part--now it is time for Iraq to be "counted and accountable"-–for those who gave most--and for those who gave all---let it not be in vain.
Well its not like we are just walking away from Iraq without watching whats going on behind closed doors. 30 to 50,000 troops will be there for many years. Not counting American Companys. As long as there is the slightest threat from Iran. The US isnt going anywhere.
Hi really greatfull that the president should allway be there for the usa troop given them a hand and see truth fully that there really protecten and sirven the country and thakful that there away from there family and friends for so long
Iraq should be able to stand on their own.....as long as Obama is always prepared to go back in and help.
To Isabel...."a fan of the United States"...well as a citizen and voter of the United States....this is man who bowed to a Saudi Head of State....and not the Queen of England.....who insulted Americans and minimized our contributions to the world. He didn't get the troop support or the stimulus package he wanted....it was a global photo op. Yet Americans fought with these same people when they got into global trouble during WWI and WWII...and all we left behind was our soldiers blood and our money to rebuild these countries... Frankly I don't care what the world thinks....and Obama needs to care what American voters think.
It's hard to gauge if Iraq can stand on it's own. Much like the continent of Africa, oppressed by corrupt leaders, Iraq, under the former dictatorship wasn't given a model by which to run a strong and humane and fair government. We haven't seen any pictures or news pieces that depict how the Iraqi military is doing so far. Tell us what efforts are being made by the foreign commanding military, both US, England and others on their efforts in equipping Iraq's military to run their own country. You have the warring factions in Iraq presenting a threat to lasting peace. But as President Obama pointed out, there were other opposing views existing in our world, who are now allies. Anything is possible. They need the help of everyone who is running a previously war torn country successfully in aiding them to realize that same dream. The bottom line is it is THEIR country, and they need to be given the reign of ruling it themselves. We as Americans can't stay there forever, and someone needs to aggressively and intelligently see that they will be able to do it, and not babysit this country. We have enough of our own problems. IF they can't run their own country then maybe they need to be a Commonwealth, run by some other country. How long will this take to assess it?
I don't think they have a choice, the old saying either go or get off the commode apply's. Also, the president better have a plan in mind for this Afganistan show, ie. get in, attain goal and get out, no time to waste! I look in the mirror and see reflections of Iraq! Don't forget, America needs some re-tooling too!
Although Obama seems to be winning trust from around the world, he has yet to prove the trust his promises bought him 10 weeks ago. We are a smart nation that was swooned by Barak and the clear promises he made. Only now by delivering on those promises will his presidency last. I believe that if he can not enforce his policies and/or deliver on his promises we will, as a nation, follow California's actions and vote the president out. I hope that he will deliver...I hope he's not in the bankers' back pocket...I hope that the people are not being lied to...I hope he frees America from the private interests, corporations and banks that have been making our policies.... I hope and I prey every day.
36 kiiled today in a car bombing in baghdad..112 killed in a car bomb a week ago..248 killed in february..119 killed in january..28 killed a few days before christmas..44 killed a few days after christmas..
78 killed the first week in january 2008..etc...etc...etc...etc............
basically this has been the daily news in america since 2003..
before the invasion 1 million christians were profiled in a new york times article depicting their lives, and how scared they were about the incoming american invasion..
at what point does the press stop feeding us that everything is going ok in iraq!!!!
it's disaster for everyone except the united states press informs us that the" insurgents" are under control...
would someone please explain to me who these " insurgents" are??
also please send a message to the troops..americans back home are more interested in their basketball heroes, than they are in any young military man who couldn't play basketball for a living!!
Of course Iraq can stand on its own. It does a history of strife within from the various religious sects and tribal nature of the country.
It is also and will remain a muslim state and will eventually modify whatever constitution is left behind, and the Kurdish issue will remain intractable as it always has been.
Between now and 2011 the bestthing is to stop fighting by American troops put in 60% effort into training Iraqi troops by US military and 40% into infrastructure projects Oil, Electricity, Water supplies, Education schools roads and railways. May be some of Americas unemployed construction workers could do the work protected by US military forces and Iraqi forces.
Making fast and good improvements in peoples quality of lifeand oil revenue will give a much more stable Iraq!
Regards,
Hodgson.
I AM IN AMAZING AT OUR PRESIDENT HE JUST KEEPS GOING AND IS LOVED EVERY WHERE HE GOES BRAVO MR. PRESIDENT WE LOVE YOU AND MRS. OBAMA.
No I don't think the Iraquis can stand on their own and i don't think it will happen any time \soon, we should go. It is their country and they have to sink or swim. We really are wasting our time and money. LETS JUST LEAVE.
Good message to them, they can do it. Glad to see him keeping his campaign promise on this, I was worried.
Iraq can make it on it`s own . It has to , just like any other country has to . We can`t stay there for ever ...... We are`nt doing too well ourselves here in America . I don`t think we should have gone there in the first place , and don`t feel that " we", as tax paying Americans should be held hostage any longer. We`re borrowing money from China , at an extraordinary interest rate just to survive our own economic crisis , and can not continue to lose any more Blood, and Treasure, in Iraq .......
It is hard to say... But I think its time for them to learn how to stand on their own.
It is so nice to see the US President being welcomed in the Middle East! I think it means North America will be a safer place for all of us in due time. Thank you... Karen
Good evening, Maureen!
Surprising the visit of the President. I think it is interesting that the President to visit the troops. The government has full responsibility for them.
President Obama wants to take a bad impression. In recent years, the world saw the U.S. as an island, sovereign and alone. It was nasty, antipathetical and I’m a fan of the United States.
President Obama is going very well in this mission to captivate people. Everyone likes him! Everyone believes him! Everyone entrusts him! (Or almost all)
Thank you very much!