Sunday shows: Policy after Iraq
For lawmakers on the campaign trail this month, it’s just the
economy, stupid. But the Sunday talk shows will take a detour from
things domestic this week, turning their sights overseas, where events
in Iraq and Afghanistan have stolen recent headlines from the sluggish
economic recovery.
Front and center: Iraq, where the Obama
administration this week withdrew the last combat brigade — and has
vowed to make good on earlier promises to have all troops out by the
end of the year.
administration this week withdrew the last combat brigade — and has
vowed to make good on earlier promises to have all troops out by the
end of the year.
{mosads}It’s hardly a certainty.
About 50,000 U.S. troops have stayed behind to provide stability, advise
Iraqi forces and protect American interests, including the many
contractors who remain. And there’s already plenty of pressure
from some military experts — including the retired U.S. officer who
once led the training of Iraq’s security forces — to keep those forces
there beyond December or risk the country backsliding into further
chaos.
Iraqi forces and protect American interests, including the many
contractors who remain. And there’s already plenty of pressure
from some military experts — including the retired U.S. officer who
once led the training of Iraq’s security forces — to keep those forces
there beyond December or risk the country backsliding into further
chaos.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates has already
hinted that full withdrawal by 2011 might not happen. “If a new
government is formed there, and they want to talk about beyond 2011,
we’re obviously open to that discussion,” Gates said recently.
hinted that full withdrawal by 2011 might not happen. “If a new
government is formed there, and they want to talk about beyond 2011,
we’re obviously open to that discussion,” Gates said recently.
But staying would be sure to agitate Obama’s
liberal supporters — both on Capitol Hill and off — who are urging the
president to stick to his pledged timeline.
liberal supporters — both on Capitol Hill and off — who are urging the
president to stick to his pledged timeline.
Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, summed up the sentiments of the left on Thursday.
“While I applaud President Obama for sticking to
his redeployment timetable, more than 50,000 U.S. troops are still
serving in harm’s way in Iraq,” Feingold said in a statement. “I urge
the president to redeploy those remaining troops as promptly and safely
as possible so we can reduce the strain on our military and our budget.”
his redeployment timetable, more than 50,000 U.S. troops are still
serving in harm’s way in Iraq,” Feingold said in a statement. “I urge
the president to redeploy those remaining troops as promptly and safely
as possible so we can reduce the strain on our military and our budget.”
Against that tense backdrop, Gen. Ray Odierno, the
U.S. commander in Iraq, will make the rounds Sunday, appearing both on
CNN’s “State of the Union” and CBS’s “Face the Nation” to weigh in on
the troop withdrawal and the future of the U.S. presence there.
U.S. commander in Iraq, will make the rounds Sunday, appearing both on
CNN’s “State of the Union” and CBS’s “Face the Nation” to weigh in on
the troop withdrawal and the future of the U.S. presence there.
Continuing the Iraq discussion, CNN will also host
retired Gen. Richard Myers, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. ambassador to Iraq; and retired
Adm. William Fallon, former head of the U.S. Central Command.
retired Gen. Richard Myers, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. ambassador to Iraq; and retired
Adm. William Fallon, former head of the U.S. Central Command.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), meanwhile, will tackle the issue on “Face the Nation.”
The
struggle in Iraq isn’t the only international issue on tap. Afghanistan
President Hamid Karzai on Monday shocked U.S. officials when his office
asked all private security forces to leave the country within four
months. The Afghan leader will have a chance to explain his motives
first-hand Sunday, appearing on ABC’s “This Week.”
struggle in Iraq isn’t the only international issue on tap. Afghanistan
President Hamid Karzai on Monday shocked U.S. officials when his office
asked all private security forces to leave the country within four
months. The Afghan leader will have a chance to explain his motives
first-hand Sunday, appearing on ABC’s “This Week.”
On the same topic, “Face the Nation” will play more of an interview with Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The
show will also feature an appearance by Greg Mortenson, American author
of “Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools,” whose acclaimed work
building schools in Pakistan has benefited more than 60,000 students —
and made him an unlikely adviser to the military forces in the region.
show will also feature an appearance by Greg Mortenson, American author
of “Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools,” whose acclaimed work
building schools in Pakistan has benefited more than 60,000 students —
and made him an unlikely adviser to the military forces in the region.
Potentially up for discussion will also be Friday’s
breaking news, reported by The New York Times, that Xe Services has cut
a deal with the State Department to pay $42 million in fines
surrounding hundreds of weapons violations, including illegal weapons
sales to Afghanistan. The company, formerly known as Blackwater
Worldwide, has been under fire since a 2007 incident in which its guards
opened fire in an open square in Baghdad, killing 17 civilians.
breaking news, reported by The New York Times, that Xe Services has cut
a deal with the State Department to pay $42 million in fines
surrounding hundreds of weapons violations, including illegal weapons
sales to Afghanistan. The company, formerly known as Blackwater
Worldwide, has been under fire since a 2007 incident in which its guards
opened fire in an open square in Baghdad, killing 17 civilians.
Not that domestic issues will be ignored altogether
this weekend. Fresh from his conviction for lying to federal agents —
and a mistrial ruling on 23 other counts against him — former Illinois
Gov. Rod Blagojevich will attempt to defend his name on “Fox News
Sunday.” A likely topic: The government’s vow to retry those 23 charges
as soon as possible.
this weekend. Fresh from his conviction for lying to federal agents —
and a mistrial ruling on 23 other counts against him — former Illinois
Gov. Rod Blagojevich will attempt to defend his name on “Fox News
Sunday.” A likely topic: The government’s vow to retry those 23 charges
as soon as possible.
NBC’s “Meet the Press,” meanwhile, will focus
exclusively on domestic issues, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch
McConnell (R-Ky.) scheduled to weigh in on the GOP’s campaign strategy
heading into November’s midterm elections.
exclusively on domestic issues, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch
McConnell (R-Ky.) scheduled to weigh in on the GOP’s campaign strategy
heading into November’s midterm elections.
NBC will also examine the Tea Party’s influence on
American politics, both now and in the future. Debating that topic will
be Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm (Mich.) and former House Majority
Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas), who’s on tour to promote his new book,
“Give Us Liberty: A Tea Party Manifesto.”
American politics, both now and in the future. Debating that topic will
be Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm (Mich.) and former House Majority
Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas), who’s on tour to promote his new book,
“Give Us Liberty: A Tea Party Manifesto.”
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