As US surges, British start exiting Iraq

[rodeodance]

Warning--------This headline can lead to dizzyness!

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0222/p01s03-woiq.html?s=yaht

World > Iraq in Transition

from the February 22, 2007 edition


As US surges, British start exiting Iraq

Will Britain's planned 25 percent reduction by this summer leave the US's southern flank exposed?

By Mark Rice-Oxley and Dan Murphy

Page 1 of 2

LONDON AND BOSTON - British prime minister Tony Blair announced Wednesday the beginning of the end of British military involvement in Iraq, starting with a 25 percent drawdown before summer.
.........

Mr. Blair's decision is, in part, an acknowledgment of the British public's anger over the war and a desire to focus on Afghanistan. Southern Iraq, where British troops operate, is not yet "how we want it to be," Blair said. "But ... the next chapter in Basra's history can be written by Iraqis."

Blair's move isn't likely to help the Bush administration. Fewer British troops in Basra will leave Iran in a stronger position and puts at risk US military supply lines in Iraq, say analysts, at a time of an escalating US-Iranian standoff.

"This is more about Tony Blair's legacy than the situation on the ground,'' says Toby Dodge, an Iraq historian at Queen Mary, University of London. After 10 years in office, Blair is expected to step down some time in the summer, and analysts say, he is eager to say that he finished what he started in Iraq.

From 7,100 to 4,000 in 2007

[Mrspeeker]

1. So will there really be a surge?

If everybody's leaving cept the US of course, We are simply making up for the number of other countries soldiers going home huh

[LiberalFighter]

3. Don't you mean duh instead of huh?

[Solly Mack]

2. like I said yesterday, Blair declared success

"This is more about Tony Blair's legacy than the situation on the ground,'' says Toby Dodge, an Iraq historian at Queen Mary, University of London. After 10 years in office, Blair is expected to step down some time in the summer, and analysts say, he is eager to say that he finished what he started in Iraq."

and I agree with that assessment

Everything about invading/occupying Iraq has been a lie...for both America and GB. Why would leaving Iraq be based on anything other than a lie?