US forces stand-down in Iraq?

[pnorman]

According to a Mike Malloy rant, all 130,00 US forces in Iraq have been ordered to stand-down as a result of recent "events" in Haditha and other places. I have a few problems with Mike's style, but I can't imagine him making it up (a la Bill O'Reilly). But I can't seem to Google it anywhere. Can anyone here give me a lead on this?

pnorman

[Ghost Dog]

1. I've seen suggestions

(here in Europe) that US forces in Iraq will hunker down in the new super-bases/green zone, maybe protect the airport (though there are new airstrips now) and control the air, of course.

But otherwise leave Iraquis to tear each other apart, while shifting the focus of whatever US public attention matters onto Iran and elsewhere.

Could even leave it to Iraqui factions to make sure some oil continues to get out, I suppose.

[rman]

2. I still think it's quite odd

that more or less from one day to the next, Iraqies decided to start fighting one another instead of the occupiers of their country - a cause that had united verious factions in Iraq.

[Disturbed]

3. If the Bush Regime could find a way for minimal..

US Casualities in Iraq it may give the Regime a respite. It seems that most
Americans wouldn't be so concerned about Iraqis being maimed &/or killed on a frequent basis. The allegations of various atrocities by US Troops will linger for a few weeks then fade as other news crowds those out.

[Squatch]

4. No.

You still need to feed those troops, and the only way to get chow to them is by convoy. Convoys need security details and drive through dangerous neighborhoods which need to be patrolled. Patrols usually run into hostile people, which leads to close quarters combat.

So, no. Unless the COCOM wants the situation in Iraq to spin wildly out of control, standing down will not happen.

[pnorman]

5. It didn't make too much sense to me either.

But Malloy was so insistent on that point, that I felt there must have been a solid basis for it. I "learned something new" at any rate (sigh!).

pnorman