Pentagon Leaders Trying to Justify U.S. Withdrawal From Iraq

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta fought a bitter debate with members of the Senate Defense Committee yesterday defending the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.

Panetta, though he seemed optimistic, was forced by the U.S. Joint Chief of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey’s “concern” about the future of Iraq to justify the withdrawal, which is being condemned by some Republicans.

During this meeting, the Republicans, who are considered “hawks,” did not hesitate to accuse the Obama administration of wanting to leave Iraq without studying its ability to ensure security and reduce the influence of Iran.

After more than eight years of war, which killed more than 4,000 American soldiers, it is assumed that the United States will withdraw the last of its 24,000 troops before the end of the year.

Washington wants to keep troops in Iraq in order to train the Iraqi army and reduce the influence of neighboring Iran. Yet, America was forced to give up this ideal in front of Baghdad’s refusal to grant legal immunity to U.S. soldiers if they stay.

The influential Republican Sen. John McCain said the decision is a “mistake” and indicates a sad state of political opportunism, which has dominated military necessity.

Mr. Obama promised during his campaign that he would end the U.S. commitment in Iraq.

In a heated discussion with the secretary of Defense, McCain, who fought in the Vietnam War, did not hesitate in calling for a strategy that increased reinforcements in Iraq in 2007. He asserted that Iraqi authorities were ready to keep American forces after 2011.

He added that the Americans refused the Iraqis the numbers necessary for the success of their mission.

Panetta responded, “This is not true. This is about negotiating with a sovereign country. … This is not about us telling them what we’re going to do for them or what they’re going to have to do.”

The secretary of Defense said that Iraq can handle its own security without a large American military presence, adding that the American military will remain linked to the ministry in Baghdad through means of cooperation similar to agreements the U.S. has with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey.

At the same time, the United States is in negotiations with Kuwait to keep additional combat troops stationed there while they conduct negotiations with Baghdad.

Gen. Dempsey denied that there has been a break between Baghdad and Washington, but he did admit that he “is worried about the future of Iraq,” especially because of the tension between the Arabs and the Kurds. Furthermore, he stated that no U.S. commander has recommended withdrawal from the country.

Panetta said, defending the Obama administration’s position, that Iraq is able to meet the challenges that lie ahead, such as class divisions and extremist groups. He noted that thousands of workers from the private military contractors will also remain in Iraq.

But the Defense secretary said that Iraq would never want to be dominated by Iran, adding that, “The Iraqis have consistently shown their willingness to resist the Iranians” and extremist groups supported by Tehran in Iraq.

The Iraqi government, in early November, refused proposals from Iran and Turkey to train the Iraqi army, but Iraqi and Iranian military officials confirmed their support on Monday for strengthening cooperation between the armies of their countries.