Whatever one may think of Trump’s premature “mission accomplished” declaration on ISIS, a conclusion since contradicted by his own intelligence agencies…
Whatever one may think of Trump’s flip-flopping from “bringing our troops home from Syria “Now,” to doing so on a more “deliberate, coordinated, disciplined” basis as finally prevailed upon by “his generals”…
Whatever one may think of the whole issue of deploying, and keeping, U.S. military troops on foreign soil…
Would it not be correct, appropriate or, at least, “nice” to first secure approval from the host country?
Not according to the ultimate “let’s-make-a-deal-solely-on-my-terms,” self-proclaimed genius.
As our diplomats and military have been quietly negotiating with Iraqi authorities to perhaps allow the U.S. to maintain troops in Iraq to “monitor and maintain pressure on neighboring Iran,” the so-called commander in chief blurted out in an interview aired Sunday on CBS’s Face the Nation, “I want to be able to watch Iran…We’re going to keep watching and we’re going to keep seeing and if there’s trouble, if somebody is looking to do nuclear weapons or other things, we’re going to know it before they do.” (Another claim contradicted in the American intelligence assessment last week)
This, while the Iraqis – including factions in the Iraqi Parliament – had already voiced reservations about, if not plain opposition to such U.S. military presence and activities on their soil.
Well, according to Reuters, today, the Iraqi president, Barham Salih said what any other leader of a proud, independent country would say about Trump’s inopportune blabber.
Speaking to a forum in Baghdad, Salih said that Trump has not asked permission for U.S. troops stationed in Iraq to “watch Iran,” that they are in Iraq with a specific mission of combating terrorism, and that they should stick to that, according to Reuters.
More from Reuters:
“Don’t overburden Iraq with your own issues,” Salih said. “The U.S. is a major power … but do not pursue your own policy priorities, we live here.”
Iraq is in a difficult position as tensions between its two biggest allies, the United States and Iran, increase.
“It is of fundamental interest for Iraq to have good relations with Iran” and other neighboring countries, Salih said.
Mr. President, perhaps you should rely more on and trust the abilities of your State Department, your Intelligence Agencies and your Department of Defense to do the important work of our nation’s security and focus your talents during your boundless executive time on designing that “big, beautiful wall,” “slats,” “peaches,” or whatever.
And don’t forget whom to send the bill to.
Lead image: Cagle Cartoons
