Haven;t we walked away from bases established already ?
If so ... we build, become effective then walk away to build again under the banner of something new is about to happen ?
Or am I nuts AND old ?
These are the “smart” people....
Oh, so we’re going to fret over this too?
Seems like every positive step towards countering ISIS is bewailed by a certain segment of FReepers -the ISIS booster club.
These basis will require a SOFA agreement for construction and operation. This indicates Baghdad has condoned their construction in the Kurdish region or delegated authority to the Kurds to approve it. They are unlikely to be temporary bases and should serve to counter Sunni and Shia supremacy groups in the region while supporting the autonomy of the Kurds.
This was anticipated. I expect Baghdad my also provide the Balad airbase to maintain their influence with the US.
There's a big difference - the bases we are closing cannot be used to aid and abet the terrorists and run clandestine ops to insure they come out ahead. These new bases could serve all these purposes...