With President Barack Obama’s announcement of his plan to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Iraq, this guide provides answers about Obama’s statement and the political implications.
Q. When did the U.S. get involved in Iraq?
A. The U.S. and its allies attacked Iraq at the end of March 2003 and ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. U.S. troops have been there since.
Q. What is the death toll?
A. The United States has reported that about 4,200 servicemen and servicewomen have been killed and more than 30,000 wounded. The number of casualties among Iraqis is disputed, but many counts put the military and civilian death toll at about 100,000, with far more wounded. More than 300 allied soldiers have been killed.
Q. What is Obama proposing?
A. The president wants to pull out all combat forces by the end of August 2010, withdrawing about 100,000 U.S. troops in the next 18 months. From 35,000 to 50,000 U.S. troops will stay in Iraq through 2011 as advisers.
Q. Why is 2011 a cutoff date?
A. The Status of Forces Agreement, negotiated under President George W. Bush with Iraqi leaders, calls for U.S. combat troops to withdraw from Baghdad and other cities by the end of June, with all American forces out of Iraq by the end of 2011.
Q. What will the U.S. troops left in Iraq until 2011 do?
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A. The force will have three goals: training, equipping and advising Iraqi security forces; conducting targeted counterterrorism missions; and protecting U.S. civilian and military efforts.
Q. How does Friday’s plan compare with Obama’s campaign position?
A. During the campaign, Obama supported a faster withdrawal — within 16 months — but added that he would consult with U.S. military commanders to ensure the withdrawal would be carried out safely.
In his speech Friday to Marines at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, Obama said he chose the longer period after consulting with military leaders.
Q. What are the politics of the withdrawal?
A. During the Democratic presidential primary campaign, the Iraq War was a key issue. Obama was helped by his position calling for an early and complete withdrawal, which appealed to the more liberal wing of his Democratic Party.
Q. Does Obama still have Democratic support for the withdrawal plan?
A. Yes, but there are questions being raised by congressional leaders.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) have publicly questioned whether as large a presence as 50,000 troops is needed.
Q. What do Republicans say about Obama’s plan?
A. Throughout the presidential campaign, Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona made an issue of his national security credentials and his military aviation career.
He, like other Republicans, argued against any timetable for withdrawal, saying that such a move could hinder the military.
McCain, the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he supports the president’s plan because it is different from the campaign plan that the Republican opposed.
Other Republicans also said they were pleased that the withdrawal would take place over a longer period of time.