Baghdad (AP) Vice President Joe Biden (click here) has arrived in Iraq for a visit intended to
help resolve a political crisis that's hindering efforts to defeat the
Islamic State group.
Biden flew overnight from Washington to the Iraqi capital overnight. The White House isn't publicly disclosing his itinerary due to security concerns, but Biden is expected to meet with Iraqi leaders.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is struggling to deliver on reforms pressed by protesters who are angry about corruption and political patronage. Al-Abadi has tried to appease critics but faces opposition from Iraq's entrenched political groups.
The Obama administration this month agreed to send 200 more troops and Apache helicopters for the fight against IS. But the political turmoil has become a distraction and diverted critical resources.
Let me guess with the arrival of 250 more USA military the Iraqi's are saying, "Here, you do it."
Not a good idea. The last time American hardware was placed in Iraq, it was used against the very people it was suppose to protect. Placing Apache helicopters in Iraq will only fuel the drive of Daesh to take control of them.
The USA presence in Iraq doesn't de-escalate anything. The USA should not be making more commitments in the way of military hardware. It is time to bring the Americans home.
We have NATO and other allies to worry about, we cannot intervene in Iraq, a country divided against itself, anymore. We should offer assistance to the Kurds, but, then Turkey turns around and kills them.
Biden flew overnight from Washington to the Iraqi capital overnight. The White House isn't publicly disclosing his itinerary due to security concerns, but Biden is expected to meet with Iraqi leaders.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is struggling to deliver on reforms pressed by protesters who are angry about corruption and political patronage. Al-Abadi has tried to appease critics but faces opposition from Iraq's entrenched political groups.
The Obama administration this month agreed to send 200 more troops and Apache helicopters for the fight against IS. But the political turmoil has become a distraction and diverted critical resources.
Let me guess with the arrival of 250 more USA military the Iraqi's are saying, "Here, you do it."
Not a good idea. The last time American hardware was placed in Iraq, it was used against the very people it was suppose to protect. Placing Apache helicopters in Iraq will only fuel the drive of Daesh to take control of them.
The USA presence in Iraq doesn't de-escalate anything. The USA should not be making more commitments in the way of military hardware. It is time to bring the Americans home.
We have NATO and other allies to worry about, we cannot intervene in Iraq, a country divided against itself, anymore. We should offer assistance to the Kurds, but, then Turkey turns around and kills them.
