Sadr Lets Intentions Known: American “Trainers” Will Be Targets
Moqatda al-Sadr, the Shia, anti-imperialism cleric, just announced that American “trainers” will be targeted if they stay in Iraq behind the 2011 withdrawal deadline. Barring a 180 degree shift in Barack Obama’s foreign policy, American troops will stay in Iraq for many years to come.
“But,” the average American asks, “why would he want to attack troops that are only serving in an advisory capacity and are not combat troops?” Doublespeak from the Obama administration, as well as a general sense of apathy and ignorance amongst the American public, gives rise to questions such as these. Anyone who follows the debacle in Iraq closely knows that the deadlines are far from being met, and that any “advisory capacity” includes such things as kicking down doors and launching full on assaults against Iraqi insurgents. What is even more disheartening, however, is that Pulitzer Prize winning Politifact lacks the spine and journalistic integrity to call the Obama administration’s bluff by considering his promise to withdraw combat troops as a “Promise Kept.” The parallels between Politifact and the Obama administrations’ dereliction of duties that came along with their world renowned prizes are amusing.
But the answer to Politifact’s and the average American’s confusion is that Moqtada al-Sadr is vowing to attack American “trainers” because they are doing much more than training: they are conducting assaults, raids, and acting as the muscle for D.C. in order to retain the diminishing American influence in Iraq, which the armchair generals and policymakers in Washington hope to use as leverage against Iran. Sadr’s intentions were clear and simple,
“Whoever stays in Iraq will be treated as an unjust invader and should be opposed with military resistance.”
…
“A government which agrees for them to stay, even for training, is a weak government.”
Sadr is perhaps also engaging in some form of doublespeak. With a largely demobilized Mehdi Army, much of Sadr’s control has been weakened by rival factions and splinter groups. Most attacks in recent months have been credited to these groups who are uncontrolled by Sadr. Gareth Porter, however, questions whether or not Sadr is bluffing:
If tensions between the U.S. military and Sadr continue to rise, Sadr may reverse course and drop the covert inside game he is said to have adopted. Ironically, the U.S. inability or unwillingness to play along with a Sadr double game on a U.S. troop presence could help Iran stymie the U.S. effort to preserve a rapidly dwindling influence in Iraq.
The Iraqi New Year could end up being a fireworks show to rival the 4th of July show in New York City. Or, like many towns across the United States saw this 4th of July, it could end up being pitch black.
skulz fontaine
August 7th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
"American trainers in an advisory capacity." That's a good one. Can we all say Vietnam?
Augustbrhm
August 7th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
After invading/murdering one million iraqi citizens they want to stay what "rubbish"no one really believed obama he like all the rest of american "presidents are war criminals/liars.Sadr will pick them off one by one.
Sadr Rejects Extension: US ‘Trainers’ in Iraq Will Be Targets -- News from Antiwar.com
August 7th, 2011 at 5:34 pm
[...] is now saying that any US troops remaining in the country after December, including “trainers” will be treated as “invaders” and will be considered [...]
pendulum
August 8th, 2011 at 9:02 am
the average "american" is confused about hot dogs & relish the training issue would get confused with training bras
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August 8th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
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Iraq | The Aussie Digger : Home of all Australian Veterans ex Service and Serving members
August 8th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
[...] Sadr Lets Intentions Known: American “Trainers” Will Be Targets [...]
Get Real Facts
August 9th, 2011 at 5:51 am
Are you all over here in Iraq? Do you know what it is really like here? Were you too big of pussies to join the military? It seems you should quit reading propaganda and get out and seek the truth in the real Iraq! I am here in Iraq, I have Iraqi friends who love us here and are scared for their lives when we depart. Yes, war brings Death to the innocent unfortunately. Terrorist hiding amoung innocent families put them in danger. Mistakes will always be made in war conflicts on both sides, but staying on course and reaching the objective along side with the REAL Iraqis (not the terrorist that you get your propaganda from) is of high importance.
We Have Facts
August 9th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
I wouldn't say it's so much that we're pussies as it is that we are morally opposed to bombing, raping and pillaging a country all based on lies.
By the way, you're not in Iraq. Military friends of mine have told me countless times that antiwar.com is blocked by the military's internet. Nice try, Scooter Libby.
By the way, what "facts" took us to Iraq?
Petraeus’ Lies and Failure Mount — Toward Ever-Greater Career Success « Antiwar.com Blog
September 1st, 2011 at 8:27 am
[...] and now Shi’ite militias have apparently been stepping up attacks on US troops — like they said they would. It’s cool though, it gives the US an excuse to blame Iran for something [...]