NationStates Jolt Archive


## UK plans Iraq troop withdrawal from Iraq.

OceanDrive2
05-07-2005, 06:59
MoD plans Iraq troop withdrawal
July 4 2005 22:02

The Ministry of Defence has drafted plans for a significant withdrawal of British troops from Iraq over the next 18 months and a big deployment to Afghanistan, the Financial Times has learnt.

In what would represent the biggest operational shake-up involving the armed forces since the Iraq war, the first stage of a run-down in military operations is likely to take place this autumn with a handover of security to Iraqis in at least two southern provinces.

Defence officials emphasised that all plans for Iraqi deployments were contingent on the ability of domestic security forces to assume peacekeeping duties from UK troops. Iraqi forces have so far proven unable to take over such roles in areas where the insurgency is most intense, and progress has disappointed coalition officials.

But senior UK officers believe the four south-east provinces under UK command, which are largely Shia and have not seen the same violence as more Sunni-dominated areas north of Baghdad, may be ready for a handover earlier than those under US command.

© The Financial Times Ltd 2005
http://news.ft.com

<<<edited tittle a bit too late<<<
Gulf Republics
05-07-2005, 07:01
mmm...the policy of Iraqification.
Leonstein
05-07-2005, 11:29
Well, after Bush declared he doesn't have to honour Blair's ideas about global poverty with consideration, it is only fair that Britain quit honouring every fart America makes on this big ball of rock we live on...
It's not a quo pro quo relationship, they are only good friends and allies who work together on a common goal: getting richer than they are now...
:p
Cadillac-Gage
05-07-2005, 11:50
Well, after Bush declared he doesn't have to honour Blair's ideas about global poverty with consideration, it is only fair that Britain quit honouring every fart America makes on this big ball of rock we live on...
It's not a quo pro quo relationship, they are only good friends and allies who work together on a common goal: getting richer than they are now...
:p

Funny, I don't see the connection between the two. The British zones have been quiet, and are stable, local leadership is proving rational, it's time to shift priorities, and it's strategically sound (It even makes the coalition look good-the brits pulled out, how long before the Yanks are done and do the same?) politically. Gradual withdrawal leaving local authority in charge makes sense. Unlike the Spaniards, the British weren't intimidated out, so the so-called 'insurgents' can't claim a tactical or Strategic victory by their departure.
Most of Al-Quaeda's recruiting base is Sunni, not Shia. Further, the withdrawal is good for the U.S., because it removes the temptation to piss those Shi'ites off by attacking Iran, which move would be colossally stupid as it would provide credible support to claims that Iran is 'next' and that the war is about ISLAM.
Leonstein
05-07-2005, 11:57
-snip-
Come on, I wasn't 100% serious.
I just wanted to point out the interesting form this relationship is starting to take.
And Spain wasn't intimidated to do anything. The Socialists didn't wanna go to Iraq, as did someting like 80% of the population.
Then the bombs exploded, and the government immediately held ETA responsible without evidence. They lied to their people, to their own advantage, about something as bad as this. Those are enough reason for people to vote socialist. And Spain continues to fight terrorism, as it did before.
Cadillac-Gage
05-07-2005, 12:08
Come on, I wasn't 100% serious.
I just wanted to point out the interesting form this relationship is starting to take.
And Spain wasn't intimidated to do anything. The Socialists didn't wanna go to Iraq, as did someting like 80% of the population.
Then the bombs exploded, and the government immediately held ETA responsible without evidence. They lied to their people, to their own advantage, about something as bad as this. Those are enough reason for people to vote socialist. And Spain continues to fight terrorism, as it did before.

and now, they're continuing that fight from a weaker position than they had before-because now, the Terrorists can use their retreat (for whatever genuine reasons) coupled with the bombing, as proof of success in their recruitment efforts and fundraising. ("See, we can make Spain do what we want! Join Us!!")

it also drove a wedge between allies-like it or not, it did. the U.S. can't be certain that Spain won't switch sides now under pressure, or fold to terrorist demands.
(You and I may know better, but that doesn't solve th problem.)
Niccolo Medici
05-07-2005, 12:12
Well, after Bush declared he doesn't have to honour Blair's ideas about global poverty with consideration, it is only fair that Britain quit honouring every fart America makes on this big ball of rock we live on...
It's not a quo pro quo relationship, they are only good friends and allies who work together on a common goal: getting richer than they are now...
:p

Hmm...but if you read the article again, you'll find that those troops are simply moving to Afganistan...where they are just as desperately needed. No rest for the weary...

I wonder how many Afganistan can expect in those 18 months, and will it be enough to resecure the nation's critical areas? Time will tell.
Leonstein
05-07-2005, 12:16
...now, the Terrorists can use their retreat (for whatever genuine reasons) coupled with the bombing, as proof of success in their recruitment efforts and fundraising...
And the horrible Spanish voters did not take that into account when reacting to being lied to. How could they...

Most of this whole Terrorism crap is manufactured anyways. I've never seen a terrorist, nor have you. Before any of us is killed by a terrorist, we'll all be struck dead by lightning.
Jeruselem
05-07-2005, 13:14
The Coalition of Willing is shrinking and shrinking and shrinking ...
Gataway_Driver
05-07-2005, 14:23
Come on, I wasn't 100% serious.
I just wanted to point out the interesting form this relationship is starting to take.
And Spain wasn't intimidated to do anything. The Socialists didn't wanna go to Iraq, as did someting like 80% of the population.
Then the bombs exploded, and the government immediately held ETA responsible without evidence. They lied to their people, to their own advantage, about something as bad as this. Those are enough reason for people to vote socialist. And Spain continues to fight terrorism, as it did before.

now no other country would do that ;)
OceanDrive2
06-07-2005, 02:30
... the so-called 'insurgents' can't claim a tactical or Strategic victory by their departure.what other name do you propose instead of "insurgents"