Source: Pentagon considers training Iraqi forces in counterterrorism
By Barbara Starr
The Pentagon is considering a proposal to train Iraqi forces in counterterrorism operations, a senior U.S. defense official tells CNN. It would be the U.S. military's most significant involvement with Iraq since U.S. troops withdrew from that country two years ago.
If the White House and the Iraqis approved the proposal, U.S. troops would not enter Iraq, but instead would train Iraqi forces in a third country, most likely Jordan, the official said. The idea had been considered and rejected by the Iraqis in the past. But the U.S. Central Command basically has dusted off the idea and is trying to see if it can gain traction in light of growing violence in Iraq, especially in Fallujah and Ramadi.
"Certainly in light of what we are seeing happening on the ground in Iraq, U.S. military leaders are pushing harder to begin that training," the official told CNN.
The idea is being discussed within the U.S. national security agencies and departments, and has not yet been approved by the President or offered to the Iraqis.
The U.S. military training would focus on training Iraqi forces to deal with al Qaeda or insurgent elements without unduly harming civilian populations, the official said.
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I think this is a great idea I would love to train 100 people in counterterrorism and have them Train a thousand people in counterterrorism it's the only way to spread the knowledge that can stop these animals .
This is another example of how history repeats itself! The Russians have been doing the same thing in Eastern Europe for over 40 years.
They are more worried about political correctness than guaranteeing
the security of their children tomorrow.
I have given my e-mail adress not that it will do any good it seems someone has changed my password I say let them sort it out pull our troops out let them kill themselves and quit wasting my tax dollars how many 100 of years have they been trying to kill each other
Deja vu all over again
Your post got me to wondering whether Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Madeleine Albright and the like will ever meet Ussama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein in Hell or not. All have the same moral standards!!!
We've spent $$$ Billions supposedly training Iraqi soldiers over the last 10 years......what a sham !!! They typically defect to our opposition, or stay and can't fight their way out of a wet paper bag !!! More pentagon schemes for throwing good money after bad. The various Sunni and Shia sects, militants, and militia are gonna fight each other regardless of what we say or do. Time to wake up the camels – fold up the tents – and move OUT !!
Americans don't have the stomach to defeat their enemies anymore.
They are more worried about political correctness than guaranteeing
the security of their children tomorrow.
The terrorists will revisit your country again and it will make September 11
look like a day in the park.
Quit giving away our secrets!
Waste of time. Should have just graded and paved that place while conducting Operation Dessert Storm. Another missed opportunity........
Why the USA supported al maliki from Aldaveh party that is Islamic shia extreme group linked to the Iran?.
We offered before and they refused? You reap what you sow. We should only do this is they pay us handsomely. No taxpayer dollars expended.
This is idiocy. We tried to train them in counterterrorism for 8 years and look what happened. The Iraqis need to sort out their own issues (which prevent internal departments from crosstalking) before any "training" can seriously be considered.
We can't afford the pentagon making these decisions. They work for us not us for them . Lets have them listen to us .
Seems like America loves to train there future rivals . All just political games
We cannot train them in Iraq because VP Joe Biden was too incompetent as a negotiator to get a status of forces agreement. He staked his reelection on it but still ran anyway.
Didn't the USA spend 7 years or so training Iraqi security forces before we pulled our troops out? Not very successful the first time, why do we think we'll be more successful this time around?
Oh goody, we trained, Osama, Hussan and Gadofi. That worked out just swell. Why cant you people learn ??? Either go in and neutralize the problem or just stay out (my preference).
US must train the Iraqi, Syrian, Egyptian, and Iranian forces to fight Islamic terrorism. It is not over job.
We just gave Saudi Arabia 25 billion worth of jets ,tanks etc. What are the Saudi's doing ? Every other country is living off our national debt
Quite true kebcarerra, quite true indeed. By the way, don't pay any attention to the post above since I never posted it in the first place. That's Phunnie boy just trying to get his kicks in by mimicking me. He must be a Tea Partier envious of my intelligence or just trying to be funny!
They want to open other avenues of intelligence gathering, i.e getting friendly with someone being trained and having them work for you as a mole, installing viruses, etc
This will drive the Obama drones crazy if he does this.
This is another example of how history repeats itself! The Russians have been doing the same thing in Eastern Europe for over 40 years. This is really another way for us to continue our obscene occupation of Iraq and nothing else!!!
I don't see any connection. We don't want to be in iraq. And because we withdrew it opened it up to aq to re-take it. So we have two choices go in and face stomp them , again, or train iraqis to do so and equip them to do so with minimal losses.
If we dont reinforce iraqis now, we will brew a bigger longer term problem than if we support them now to stomp it out.
Like I said before Random, the only sensible solution to this problem is to split Iraq into three different states since the hatred between the Sunnis and the Shiites knows no end. As long as Iraq remains "united", this bloodshed will only continue. Moreover, if we didn't want to be in Iraq as you stated above, then why did we invade it in the first place? Nobody ever takes over another country unless they want it!!!
Considers? By the time you get off your butts and do something it will be to late. We are talking 8-12 hours to respond, from when the tipping point is reached. This was a week ago almost. Get your a$$3$ in gear.
Define Obamas strategy in one word. I will start.
Indecision.