"Brave, Brave Sir Robin; Sir Robin Ran Away"
There go the Brits. According to the WashPost, PM Blair will announce a plan for British troop withdrawal ("close to half its troops by the end of the year") from southern Iraq today. US reps say that the situation in the south is different and that this will not significantly affect the security outlook for the rest of the country. In fact, they see the withdrawal/reduction as a "sign of success." Here's the official statement from the US National Security Council: "While the United Kingdom is maintaining a robust force in southern Iraq, we're pleased that conditions in Basra have improved sufficiently that they are able to transition more control to the Iraqis."
I'm wondering if this will start a flurry of withdrawals from other US allies, who all seem to be itching to get out of Iraq. In any event, it would seem that the Brits are getting a pass from the Bush administration for their withdrawal, i.e. no expressed disappointment, no blustering about staying the course, etc.
So, the question becomes: if the British can bring troops home and turn control over to Iraqi forces, why can't we? Admittedly, the situation in Baghdad is so fucked up right now that there's no way we can take guys out of there. But, what about other areas of the country (like the British AO in southern Iraq) where the security situation is better? Maybe we wouldn't have to bring over more guys if we could take them from areas that are ready to be turned over to the Iraqis. I'm just saying...
posted by ze roberto @ 2/21/2007 05:46:00 AM
4 comments
4 Comments:
I saw a car in the District yesterday with the license place "GOP SPIN". This reaction on the part of the Bush Administration further reinforces my feeling that they have, no matter what the facts present -- an unbounded and unbelievable ability to recast reality however they find most positive and expedient. This is a case in point: the Brits are withdrawing because it's an unmitigated disaster and there is no political support for their involvement. Not because the situation has improved. But, the Bush Team recasts these facts as "Hey, things are so f*cking good in Southern Iraq that the Brits aren't needed anymore! Hooray for all of us! We're winning the 'War on Terror'"
:: shakes head ::
I can't wait for someone else to be in charge. Republican, Democrat, whatever. Just get this hubris and arrogance out of the White House. It makes me wanna puke.
Just to add cynacism to disbelief, I don't think they see Southern Iraq through rose colored glasses, I just think the Bush Admin is simply trying to pretend like they're OK with the withdrawal when they're not.
I hate to add a second movie reference to Rob's title, but as Jack Ryan said in Clear & Present Danger: there's no sense in trying to diffuse a bomb when its already gone off. The Brits are leaving, its over. All that would happen if the Bush Admin bitched and whined about it is show them to be impotent. Might as well put a good face on it and pretend they're doing what we want them to.
I wonder if it's related at all to Prince Harry's recent deployment....
I'm not generally too sympathetic to British royalty, but I sure as hell wouldn't want to roll into Iraq as Lt. Most-likely-to-make-you-a-famous-martyr-if-you-kill-me.
Talk about a bulleye being painted on ya...
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