Posted on 11/16/2015 7:54:32 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
A prophetic warning from then-President George W. Bush before he left office about what would happen if the U.S. withdrew troops from Iraq too soon is getting new attention in light of the Islamic State gains, as each of his predictions appears to be coming true.
Bush, as discussed on The Kelly File, made the remarks in the White House briefing room on July 12, 2007, as he argued against those who sought an immediate troop withdrawal.
To begin withdrawing before our commanders tell us we are ready would be dangerous for Iraq, for the region and for the United States, Bush cautioned.
He then ticked off a string of predictions about what would happen if the U.S. left too early.
It would mean surrendering the future of Iraq to Al Qaeda.
It would mean that we would be risking mass killings on a horrific scale.
It would mean we allow the terrorists to establish a safe haven in Iraq to replace the one they lost in Afghanistan.
It would mean we would be increasing the probability that American troops would have to return at some later date to confront an enemy that is even more dangerous.
Bush speechwriter Marc Thiessen says all these predictions have come true.
Every single thing that President Bush said there in that statement is happening today, he told Fox News.
To Bush first warning, the Islamic State terror group is effectively the successor to Al Qaeda in Iraq and they have overrun several major cities in Iraq north while claiming broad swaths of territory in Syria. Further, the group has been behind mass killings of Iraqi civilians as well as the recent execution by beheading of two American journalists.
The Obama administration has warned that the group violence threatens to approach genocide levels.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
As a result of past votes which the media also controlled. We need to support conservative media, and do everything we can to hurt existing media.
Here's one thing which had been suggested to me by another freeper, and which I have also done.
I've set my "home" page to be One America News Network (OANN.com) so that they will get some page clicks when I turn on the browser.
They are far more conservative than FOX, and they are actually carried on some cable stations, so they are an up and coming conservative alternative to existing media.
It's a small thing, but it's something. If you know of any better ideas, let me know. I'm very interested in any ideas which might take down existing media. If we could do something about that, then perhaps we can tackle the problems with education indoctrination next.
The problem with W was that he put the interests of Saudi Arabia ahead of those of the United States after 9/11.
Saudi Arabia’s role in inspiring terrorism through its educational institutions and so on was ignored entirely by W because of its economic importance and close relationship the US started by FDR in 1945.
The invasion of Iraq was more a war to protect Saudi interests than American ones.
Obama and the GOP insiders like McCain supported the intervention in Syria along with the Saudis that led to the creation of ISIS.
Baloney.
As long as our troops were there, there was no genocide of the Christian community. There were actually missionaries going in to Iraq and spreading Christianity.
When our troops left, then the Jihadists got started in earnest.
We stayed in Germany, Japan, Italy, Philippines, and other places until they were really stable. We lefty Iraq so somebody could justify the pretty prize he got from Sweden.
That's exactly right. The timetable for the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq was signed by George W. Bush in November 2008.
You know why he gave this warning? Because the 2007 Democratic-controlled Congress cut Defense Dept. funding for Overseas Contingency Operations (Iraq and Afgn). The DoD was forced to shift money from already funded projects -like the F-22 to fund OCO. The Democrats’ control of Congress and the budget forced the drawdown thru cutting funding. With greatly reduced Iraq reconstruction and development funding the US’s position in bargaining for an Iraqi SOFA was likewise reduced. Reduced funding and no SOFA meant complete withdrawal from Iraq even before Obama proposed it. This is why Bush warned.
No reconstruction or US troops meant that soon after the US left Al Qaeda in Iraq (AIQ) would grow in strength. When AIQ lost Syria’s support it was strong enough to attack Syria as well as the weak provinces of Iraq. Once AIQ was multi-national it set its sights even further -on a Caliphate.
In this regard ISIS is the product of the 2007 Democratic Congress. Anyone who knew anything at the time could see this.
You are simply wrong. The US was occupying Iraq. Negotiations certainly would have occurred but, ultimately the US would have been in position to do what it wanted in Iraq. We could have left 100,000 troops. Instead we left none. Stupid!!!!
Here’s the real issue. No one felt sorry for Japan or Germany after WW II. The west sat on both of those countries for over 25 years after the war until they figured out how to play nice with each other and the rest of the world. Today, they are both strong vibrant democracies....and their cultures are in tact.
This was the perfect model for Iraq. But, today’s generation doesn’t have the courage of their conviction, doesn’t trust their instincts about ‘right and wrong’, doesn’t believe in human rights when push comes to shove and isn’t willing to fight for women’s rights either. Instead you painted a picture (and ultimately convinced most voters) the US was an evil force oppressing Iraq.
Congratulations!!! You got your way.
But, what did you get for your rhetoric? ISIS!! Now, that group truly is an evil force occupying Iraq. Good job, guys!! Now that you’ve also surrendered to Iran, you can surrender to ISIS to complete the trifecta.
You guys are Brilliant!!! I need a drink.
Total Nonsense. Under the Status of Forces agreement we were going to have basing rights in Iraq and leave training/support groups, mostly SOF, to train the Iraqs. O, despite all the advice to the contrary from Intelligence/Military sources, pulled all forces out of Iraq. He did it so he could claim "I ended Bush's war" in 2012. So you cannot have it both ways.0 cannot claim "he ended Bush's war" then refuse to Hold 0 accountable for withdrawing our forces
Yes he is completely wrong. O ended our involvembnt in Iraq. The SOF agreement would of left US training and support troops in Iraq. Everyone told 0 the Iraqis were not ready but he arrogantly decided, yet again, to do it HIS way.
Now his propaganda bots what to lie about what 0 did since the results have been so disasterous
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S.%E2%80%93Iraq_Status_of_Forces_Agreement
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iraq for a new SOFA began in fall 2010. There were late-night meetings at the fortified compound of then Iraqi president, Jalal Talabani, and in video conferences between Baghdad and Washington. In June 2011, diplomats and Iraqi officials said that President Obama had told Prime Minister Maliki that he was prepared to leave up to 10,000 soldiers to continue training and equipping the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). Mr. Maliki agreed, but said he needed time to line up political allies. Eventually, he gained authorization to continue talks with the U.S. on keeping troops in Iraq.[69]
In August 2011, after debates between the Pentagon, the State Department and the White House, the U.S. settled on the 3,000 to 5,000 troop number. An American official said intelligence assessments stated that Iraq was not at great risk of slipping into chaos in the absence of American forces, which was a factor in the decision.[69]
In October 2011, American officials pressed Iraqi leadership to meet again at President Talabani’s compound to discuss the issue. This time the U.S. asked Iraq to take a stand on the question of immunity for troops, hoping to remove what had always been the biggest challenge. However, they misread Iraqi politics and the Iraqi public. Having watched the Arab Spring sweep across the region and still haunted by the traumas of this and previous wars, the Iraqis were unwilling to accept anything that infringed on their sovereignty.[69]
The SOF agreement left open leaving US troops in place in Iraq. 0 withdrew them and claimed credit for withdrawing them from Iraq.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S.%E2%80%93Iraq_Status_of_Forces_Agreement
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iraq for a new SOFA began in fall 2010. There were late-night meetings at the fortified compound of then Iraqi president, Jalal Talabani, and in video conferences between Baghdad and Washington. In June 2011, diplomats and Iraqi officials said that President Obama had told Prime Minister Maliki that he was prepared to leave up to 10,000 soldiers to continue training and equipping the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). Mr. Maliki agreed, but said he needed time to line up political allies. Eventually, he gained authorization to continue talks with the U.S. on keeping troops in Iraq.[69]
In August 2011, after debates between the Pentagon, the State Department and the White House, the U.S. settled on the 3,000 to 5,000 troop number. An American official said intelligence assessments stated that Iraq was not at great risk of slipping into chaos in the absence of American forces, which was a factor in the decision.[69]
In October 2011, American officials pressed Iraqi leadership to meet again at President Talabani’s compound to discuss the issue. This time the U.S. asked Iraq to take a stand on the question of immunity for troops, hoping to remove what had always been the biggest challenge. However, they misread Iraqi politics and the Iraqi public. Having watched the Arab Spring sweep across the region and still haunted by the traumas of this and previous wars, the Iraqis were unwilling to accept anything that infringed on their sovereignty.[69]
Bush’s leadership did not create ISIS. Obama’s leadership did. This is an absolute undeniable fact....McCain had his picture taken with the leader of ISIS numerous times. Obama armed, paid for and pledged support for ISIS.
Simply not true. I was there. Many a Christian fled, by the thousands once the invasion happened. The Chaldean's in Mosul especially have taken it on the chin. It has been a Christian Winter for a while in Iraq; before BHO took office.
We should kill them all, with prejudice.
I was in Baghdad and Fallujah in 2003 and 2004. You are correct that many people fled from Mosul and other cities, but it seemed to be mostly in response to fear of what might happen. Many came back into Baghdad and and the immediate suburbs as we brought those different areas under control. Although there were attacks against Christians and other groups, those were sporadic and happened about the same frequency as other terrorist attacks.
After the surge, most attacks disappeared entirely, which allowed President Obama the political cover to withdraw US troops. This is when the real atrocities and attacks began in earnest. But I was only in one small part of Iraq, so I cannot make that blanket statement. But missionaries were operating in Baghdad, and The Word was being spread.
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