Obama To Deploy Special Forces To Iraq -- Time
Troops meant to train Iraqis in fight against militants.
President Barack Obama announced Thursday that he’s prepared to deploy up to 300 special forces to Iraq, as militants who have plunged the country into chaos consolidate their gains.
Speaking to reporters from the White House Briefing Room, Obama said the Green Berets would be focused on training Iraqi troops to fight back against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Sunni, al-Qaeda inspired extremist group that has captured several cities and has its sights set on Baghdad. He emphasized that the U.S. was not returning to a fight it waged for eight years before a 2011 withdrawal, but was focused on training and helping foster a diplomatic solution to the current crisis.
“American forces will not be returning to combat in Iraq,” Obama said. “But we will help Iraqis as they take the fight to terrorists who threaten the Iraqi people, the region and American interests as well.”
Read more ....
President Obama's Statement On Iraq -- News Roundup
Text of Obama’s Remarks on Iraq -- New York Times
United States to Send Military Advisers to Iraq -- New York Times
Obama announces he is sending up to 300 troops back to Iraq as advisers -- Washington Post
Obama to send 300 special ops forces to Iraq -- Washington Times
Obama Sending 300 Advisers to Help Iraq Battle Insurgency, Ready to Take 'Targeted' Action -- Bloomberg
Obama plans to send up to 300 military advisers to Iraq -- USA Today
Obama: US sending military advisers to Iraq -- AP
Obama says U.S. ready to send advisers, conduct strikes in Iraq -- Reuters
Iraq crisis: US ready for 'targeted military action' -- BBC
Obama prepared to send military advisers to Iraq -- CNN
Obama: U.S. won't be returning to combat in Iraq -- CBS
Obama: U.S. Prepared to Take 'Targeted' Action in Iraq -- NBC
Obama to send up to 300 'military advisers' to help Iraqi army repel Isis -- The Guardian
U.S. Forces Not Returning to Combat in Iraq, President Obama Says -- WSJ
Obama sending Kerry to Middle East, set to dispatch military advisers to Iraq -- FOX News
My Comment: This statement by President Obama will only embolden ISIS. Shows up late (again) .... talks about how Iraq cannot be solved by military means .... but will be sending soldiers anyway. Talks about the need for a unified Iraqi government .... but the U.S. is more divided than I have ever seen it. Will be sending John Kerry to Iraq and the Middle East to start the consultation process on how to resolve the crisis in Iraq .... but even these countries have different agendas and goals .... and have made it very clear that they are not interested in what the U.S. has to offer.
Sighhh ... I cannot help but feel that today's statement on Iraq was nothing more but a PR event. But I will concededthat with U.S. advisers now being sent to Iraq .... this has the potential of becoming something much bigger .... and messier.