Quote:The numbers i cited were the estimates for those that crossed over into the EU.  More importantly, just this morning a female detonated a suicide belt during a raid by the French.  This coupled with the use of children to kill "infadels" radically alters the basic demographics we would expect to be radicalized.  

 

Second  It was widely assumed a new plan would be negotiated after the 2008 version expired in 2011. There were no stipulations about a specific number of American military personnel to be left behind.

 

Whether it was through REMISSIONING, or renegotiation of the SOFA itself, the idea that Bush 43 was in favor of a date certain withdrawal with no consideration for the facts on the ground is disingenuous at best!  It was always his intention to take the steps necessary to secure the future of IRAQ and make sure that they had enough support to maintain the foothold that we had sacrificed for.  

So it was "widely assumed"? That's a far cry from "anticipated from the start". In fact, here's a quote from your own article that completely discredits your "anticipated from the start" comment:

 

"So a plan to leave 10,000 troops didn’t exist when Obama took office and was never fully realized by his administration."

 

So, basically, there was no plan to extend the SOFA, and despite giving the matter serious consideration, resistance from Washington and Iraq ultimately shelved any extension deal for him. You left out the part about how American soldiers left behind were to be immune to Iraqi laws or prosecution. I wonder whose idea that was, and I wonder why the Iraqi government wasn't a fan of it.

 

Stop trying to spin. Your entire argument is based upon Jeb Bush's misguided defense of his brother--something that is completely ruining his campaign. When Obama took office, the SOFA was a finalized plan agreed upon by both sides, and neither side put much effort into extending it, or, at least, was willing to extend it in a way that would have recognized Iraqi sovereignty. I thought we were there to help them build their government...

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