Change.gov - Iraq

Apparently, the most important thing to Obama is not, as one might expect, national security, it is:

Agenda #2 - Ending the War in Iraq

"Inadequate Security and Political Progress in Iraq: Since the surge began, more than 1,000 American troops have died, and despite the improved security situation, the Iraqi government has not stepped forward to lead the Iraqi people and to reach the genuine political accommodation that was the stated purpose of the surge. Our troops have heroically helped reduce civilian casualties in Iraq to early 2006 levels. This is a testament to our military’s hard work, improved counterinsurgency tactics, and enormous sacrifice by our troops and military families. It is also a consequence of the decision of many Sunnis to turn against al Qaeda in Iraq, and a lull in Shia militia activity. But the absence of genuine political accommodation in Iraq is a direct result of President Bush’s failure to hold the Iraqi government accountable."

So, as i understand it, the "failure" in Iraq is not the military's fault, it is the government's in Iraq. Wow, way to open your diplomatic relations with them, by accusing them of ineptness. Also, fail to mention how the troop surges have helped and deaths there is at the lowest since the war began.

"Immediately upon taking office, Obama will give his Secretary of Defense and military commanders a new mission in Iraq: ending the war."

That's a new mission? Roflmao.

"The removal of our troops will be responsible and phased, directed by military commanders on the ground and done in consultation with the Iraqi government. Military experts believe we can safely redeploy combat brigades from Iraq at a pace of 1 to 2 brigades a month that would remove them in 16 months. That would be the summer of 2010 – more than 7 years after the war began.

Under the Obama-Biden plan, a residual force will remain in Iraq and in the region to conduct targeted counter-terrorism missions against al Qaeda in Iraq and to protect American diplomatic and civilian personnel. They will not build permanent bases in Iraq, but will continue efforts to train and support the Iraqi security forces as long as Iraqi leaders move toward political reconciliation and away from sectarianism."

How is this change? This is what Bush and McCain both said the objective was.

Anyway, the article goes on to say that it's the fault of the government in Iraq that the war has "failed" and the diplomacy is the solution, diplomacy in the form of standing over their shoulder and making sure they do things our way (in other words, what we want is what's most important and it's our way or the highway).

"Obama and Biden will form an international working group to address this crisis. They will provide at least $2 billion to expand services to Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, and ensure that Iraqis inside their own country can find sanctuary. Obama and Biden will also work with Iraqi authorities and the international community to hold the perpetrators of potential war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide accountable. They will reserve the right to intervene militarily, with our international partners, to suppress potential genocidal violence within Iraq."

Wow, i thought we already had a coalition, silly me. Also, genocidal violence is part of the reason that we overthrew Hussein, something Obama was against. Is it suddenly a concern now?

Astonishingly enough:

"As our forces redeploy, Obama and Biden will make sure we engage representatives from all levels of Iraqi society—in and out of government—to forge compromises on oil revenue sharing, the equitable provision of services, federalism, the status of disputed territories, new elections, aid to displaced Iraqis, and the reform of Iraqi security forces."

Apparently it is now about oil and we are going to redistribute wealth in Iraq. Incidentally, "Aggressive Diplomacy" is an oxy moron that is usually used to denote a policy that says: "If you don't agree with us, we'll just kill you." And i thought Iraq was an ally (silly me).