Iraq is imploding. Should we lend air support or wash our hands?

[Steinlight]

Mercs in trouble.
I wonder if they're Academi?

200 U.S. contractors surrounded by jihadists in Iraq

NEW YORK – About 200 Americans under contract with the Department of Defense at Balad Air Force Base in Iraq are trapped by the al-Qaida-inspired jihadists who have seized control of two cities and are now threatening Baghdad, according to WND sources.

The sources, private contractors who have recently returned to the U.S. from Iraq, said Friday their former colleagues effectively have been abandoned by the U.S. military and are fighting for their lives against an army of jihadists surrounding the base who belong to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

The U.S. contractors are at Balad to help the Pentagon prepare the facilities for the delivery of the F-16 aircraft the Obama administration has agreed to provide the Iraqi government.

The surrounded Americans said they currently are under ISIS fire from small arms, AK47s, and rocket propelled grenades, or RPGs.

The contractors so far have been able to hold the base, but those on the scene reported it was only a matter of time before the ISIS terrorists succeed in breaking through the perimeter. They expressed concern that they would be ab

WND has learned from sources that the jihadists have closed down escape routes, and the U.S. Air Force is in a stand-down position. U.S. forces are not assisting even with air cover so a private extradition flight could land for a rescue, the sources said.

So much for no american troops in Iraq.

If they are private mercs they don't count, right guys?

 

[BlindBoo]

This happens when you seek to only end wars and not finish them.

And this is the lesson of Viet Nam we STILL haven't learned.

Describe what that finished war would look like, and how we would get there.

How many more dead Americans did you want to expend? How much more money? How many more years?

There was no way we were going to stay in a country without a SOFA. We demand it and get it from every country we are in, in order to protect our troops. The Iraqi 'government' refused.

This country would never allow it. Would you put up with American soldiers being judged by Iraqis using Sharia Law? Obama won't. And Bush wouldn't.

So STFU.

If we're going to discuss this at least have the facts straight. Afghanistan was the one who flat out refused the SOFA. Obama never pressed Maliki. Instead he took advantage of the pull out agreement already in place from the prior administration. He brought them home and claimed it was his idea.

Jeffrey was a key player on both the Washington and Baghdad sides of the 2011 negotiations that were meant to agree on a follow on force to extend the Bush administration's Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) after it was set to expire last December. Those negotiations ultimately failed. The White House has said the Iraqis refused to grant immunity for U.S. troops in Iraq after 2011 and submit a new SOFA through their own parliament, two things the United States needed to extend the troops' mission.

Obama?s Iraq ambassador: I wanted troops to remain in Iraq

 

[Katzndogz]

It will give obama an excuse to release more terrorists.

 

[paulitician]

Mercs in trouble.
I wonder if they're Academi?

200 U.S. contractors surrounded by jihadists in Iraq

NEW YORK – About 200 Americans under contract with the Department of Defense at Balad Air Force Base in Iraq are trapped by the al-Qaida-inspired jihadists who have seized control of two cities and are now threatening Baghdad, according to WND sources.

The sources, private contractors who have recently returned to the U.S. from Iraq, said Friday their former colleagues effectively have been abandoned by the U.S. military and are fighting for their lives against an army of jihadists surrounding the base who belong to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

The U.S. contractors are at Balad to help the Pentagon prepare the facilities for the delivery of the F-16 aircraft the Obama administration has agreed to provide the Iraqi government.

The surrounded Americans said they currently are under ISIS fire from small arms, AK47s, and rocket propelled grenades, or RPGs.

The contractors so far have been able to hold the base, but those on the scene reported it was only a matter of time before the ISIS terrorists succeed in breaking through the perimeter. They expressed concern that they would be ab

WND has learned from sources that the jihadists have closed down escape routes, and the U.S. Air Force is in a stand-down position. U.S. forces are not assisting even with air cover so a private extradition flight could land for a rescue, the sources said.

So much for no american troops in Iraq.

If they are private mercs they don't count, right guys?

I've always said we're not leaving Iraq or Afghanistan. There will always be bases in both nations. But the dupes are always quick to express scorn at that notion. They're the true believers. They truly believe we're leaving and that's that. But that's never the case. We're there and we'll be there for a long time.

 

[georgephillip]

Mercs in trouble.
I wonder if they're Academi?

200 U.S. contractors surrounded by jihadists in Iraq

NEW YORK – About 200 Americans under contract with the Department of Defense at Balad Air Force Base in Iraq are trapped by the al-Qaida-inspired jihadists who have seized control of two cities and are now threatening Baghdad, according to WND sources.

The sources, private contractors who have recently returned to the U.S. from Iraq, said Friday their former colleagues effectively have been abandoned by the U.S. military and are fighting for their lives against an army of jihadists surrounding the base who belong to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

The U.S. contractors are at Balad to help the Pentagon prepare the facilities for the delivery of the F-16 aircraft the Obama administration has agreed to provide the Iraqi government.

The surrounded Americans said they currently are under ISIS fire from small arms, AK47s, and rocket propelled grenades, or RPGs.

The contractors so far have been able to hold the base, but those on the scene reported it was only a matter of time before the ISIS terrorists succeed in breaking through the perimeter. They expressed concern that they would be ab

WND has learned from sources that the jihadists have closed down escape routes, and the U.S. Air Force is in a stand-down position. U.S. forces are not assisting even with air cover so a private extradition flight could land for a rescue, the sources said.

From your link:

"Balad Air Force Base has been under attack since Wednesday, when ISIS rebels seized the nearby town of Tikrit, the birthplace of Saddam Hussein.

"The attacking ISIS forces approached Balad Air Force Base in trucks and called through loudspeakers for all private security forces and Iraqi special military to leave immediately or die.

"The U.S. private contractors in touch with WND reported that after hearing the broadcast, the private security forces and the Iraqi military defending the base dropped their weapons and ran.

"The American contractors collected the weapons the fleeing private security forces and Iraqi military left behind and were able to hold off further immediate advances.

200 U.S. contractors surrounded by jihadists in Iraq

Do we know the nationalities of the American contractors?

 

[Derideo_Te]

The terrorists are now marching on Bagdad. The Iraq government is asking for help, should we oblige?
Seems strange to me that we would spend all the money & lives just to let it fall in a matter of weeks/months.

We should never have invaded Iraq in the first place. That was a mistake. Getting involved again would just be another mistake.

The Middle East is not a sandbox for the USA to play in whenever it feels the urge. It is a vipers nest of centuries long feuds. Let them work out their own destiny. If it means we all pay a higher price for gas then sobeit. That is still a pittance compared to the $2 trillion we wasted the last time the "War President" decided that he knew better than history.

 

[Rotagilla]

Mercs in trouble.
I wonder if they're Academi?

200 U.S. contractors surrounded by jihadists in Iraq

NEW YORK – About 200 Americans under contract with the Department of Defense at Balad Air Force Base in Iraq are trapped by the al-Qaida-inspired jihadists who have seized control of two cities and are now threatening Baghdad, according to WND sources.

The sources, private contractors who have recently returned to the U.S. from Iraq, said Friday their former colleagues effectively have been abandoned by the U.S. military and are fighting for their lives against an army of jihadists surrounding the base who belong to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

The U.S. contractors are at Balad to help the Pentagon prepare the facilities for the delivery of the F-16 aircraft the Obama administration has agreed to provide the Iraqi government.

The surrounded Americans said they currently are under ISIS fire from small arms, AK47s, and rocket propelled grenades, or RPGs.

The contractors so far have been able to hold the base, but those on the scene reported it was only a matter of time before the ISIS terrorists succeed in breaking through the perimeter. They expressed concern that they would be ab

WND has learned from sources that the jihadists have closed down escape routes, and the U.S. Air Force is in a stand-down position. U.S. forces are not assisting even with air cover so a private extradition flight could land for a rescue, the sources said.

So much for no american troops in Iraq.

If they are private mercs they don't count, right guys?

Wait..My mistake.

The article called them "contractors".

I'm the one that said "mercs"..We have no proof they are mercs...they're probably just cooks, clerks and truck drivers.....

 

[BlindBoo]

If Obama had listened to those Generals this could have been prevented. A small special ops force to continue training the Iraqi Army and provide intel to them.

I can hear Joe Biden now when Obama sent him to Iraq to ask for a status of forces agreement allowing that to happen. "You guys don't want the US to keep any troops in Iraq, do you?" "Didn't think so."

The US has kept a military presence in So Korea, Japan, and Germany after major wars. Why not Iraq, if for no other reason than to keep the price of oil stable?

But ultimately, the Iraqis did insist that a new SOFA had to go through their parliament and they would not budge on the immunities issue, which made an extension of U.S. forces there impossible, Jeffrey said. He said the insistence on immunity was uniform inside the Obama administration.

Obama?s Iraq ambassador: I wanted troops to remain in Iraq

Maybe Obama should have forced the Iraq government to go by our rules. No, he's too chickenshit! Obama caves to all muslims.

So President Obama should have just disregarded the agreement signed by President Bush?

 

[paulitician]

Looks like Iran is seizing on this opportunity. Their troops are pouring in Iraq. And there's nothing we can do about it. All Obama can do now is help Iran and the Iranian-backed Iraqi Government. He can't allow the Al Qaeda Rebels to win there. So it's become a very nasty Catch 22 of us. It's No-Win scenario for Americans. More ugly Blow Back.

 

[Rotagilla]

Mercs in trouble.
I wonder if they're Academi?

200 U.S. contractors surrounded by jihadists in Iraq

NEW YORK – About 200 Americans under contract with the Department of Defense at Balad Air Force Base in Iraq are trapped by the al-Qaida-inspired jihadists who have seized control of two cities and are now threatening Baghdad, according to WND sources.

The sources, private contractors who have recently returned to the U.S. from Iraq, said Friday their former colleagues effectively have been abandoned by the U.S. military and are fighting for their lives against an army of jihadists surrounding the base who belong to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

The U.S. contractors are at Balad to help the Pentagon prepare the facilities for the delivery of the F-16 aircraft the Obama administration has agreed to provide the Iraqi government.

The surrounded Americans said they currently are under ISIS fire from small arms, AK47s, and rocket propelled grenades, or RPGs.

The contractors so far have been able to hold the base, but those on the scene reported it was only a matter of time before the ISIS terrorists succeed in breaking through the perimeter. They expressed concern that they would be ab

WND has learned from sources that the jihadists have closed down escape routes, and the U.S. Air Force is in a stand-down position. U.S. forces are not assisting even with air cover so a private extradition flight could land for a rescue, the sources said.

From your link:

"Balad Air Force Base has been under attack since Wednesday, when ISIS rebels seized the nearby town of Tikrit, the birthplace of Saddam Hussein.

"The attacking ISIS forces approached Balad Air Force Base in trucks and called through loudspeakers for all private security forces and Iraqi special military to leave immediately or die.

"The U.S. private contractors in touch with WND reported that after hearing the broadcast, the private security forces and the Iraqi military defending the base dropped their weapons and ran.

"The American contractors collected the weapons the fleeing private security forces and Iraqi military left behind and were able to hold off further immediate advances.

200 U.S. contractors surrounded by jihadists in Iraq

Do we know the nationalities of the American contractors?

First sentence in the article;

NEW YORK – About 200 Americans under contract with the Department of Defense at Balad Air Force Base in Iraq are trapped by the al-Qaida-inspired jihadists who have seized control of two cities and are now threatening Baghdad, according to WND sources.

 

[Steinlight]

Mercs in trouble.
I wonder if they're Academi?

200 U.S. contractors surrounded by jihadists in Iraq

NEW YORK – About 200 Americans under contract with the Department of Defense at Balad Air Force Base in Iraq are trapped by the al-Qaida-inspired jihadists who have seized control of two cities and are now threatening Baghdad, according to WND sources.

The sources, private contractors who have recently returned to the U.S. from Iraq, said Friday their former colleagues effectively have been abandoned by the U.S. military and are fighting for their lives against an army of jihadists surrounding the base who belong to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

The U.S. contractors are at Balad to help the Pentagon prepare the facilities for the delivery of the F-16 aircraft the Obama administration has agreed to provide the Iraqi government.

The surrounded Americans said they currently are under ISIS fire from small arms, AK47s, and rocket propelled grenades, or RPGs.

The contractors so far have been able to hold the base, but those on the scene reported it was only a matter of time before the ISIS terrorists succeed in breaking through the perimeter. They expressed concern that they would be ab

WND has learned from sources that the jihadists have closed down escape routes, and the U.S. Air Force is in a stand-down position. U.S. forces are not assisting even with air cover so a private extradition flight could land for a rescue, the sources said.

So much for no american troops in Iraq.

If they are private mercs they don't count, right guys?

Wait..My mistake.

The article called them "contractors".

I'm the one that said "mercs"..We have no proof they are mercs...they're probably just cooks, clerks and truck drivers.....

Tough ass cooks and clerks they are, apparently they are tougher than the Iraqi army if they are holding their base.

It's like they have combat training or something, oh never mind, nothing to see hear Obama says there are no troops in Iraq.

 

[francoHFW]

Let our new ally Iran handle it...stupidest war ever!

 

[georgephillip]

Mercs in trouble.
I wonder if they're Academi?

200 U.S. contractors surrounded by jihadists in Iraq

NEW YORK – About 200 Americans under contract with the Department of Defense at Balad Air Force Base in Iraq are trapped by the al-Qaida-inspired jihadists who have seized control of two cities and are now threatening Baghdad, according to WND sources.

The sources, private contractors who have recently returned to the U.S. from Iraq, said Friday their former colleagues effectively have been abandoned by the U.S. military and are fighting for their lives against an army of jihadists surrounding the base who belong to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

The U.S. contractors are at Balad to help the Pentagon prepare the facilities for the delivery of the F-16 aircraft the Obama administration has agreed to provide the Iraqi government.

The surrounded Americans said they currently are under ISIS fire from small arms, AK47s, and rocket propelled grenades, or RPGs.

The contractors so far have been able to hold the base, but those on the scene reported it was only a matter of time before the ISIS terrorists succeed in breaking through the perimeter. They expressed concern that they would be ab

WND has learned from sources that the jihadists have closed down escape routes, and the U.S. Air Force is in a stand-down position. U.S. forces are not assisting even with air cover so a private extradition flight could land for a rescue, the sources said.

From your link:

"Balad Air Force Base has been under attack since Wednesday, when ISIS rebels seized the nearby town of Tikrit, the birthplace of Saddam Hussein.

"The attacking ISIS forces approached Balad Air Force Base in trucks and called through loudspeakers for all private security forces and Iraqi special military to leave immediately or die.

"The U.S. private contractors in touch with WND reported that after hearing the broadcast, the private security forces and the Iraqi military defending the base dropped their weapons and ran.

"The American contractors collected the weapons the fleeing private security forces and Iraqi military left behind and were able to hold off further immediate advances.

200 U.S. contractors surrounded by jihadists in Iraq

Do we know the nationalities of the American contractors?

First sentence in the article;

NEW YORK – About 200 Americans under contract with the Department of Defense at Balad Air Force Base in Iraq are trapped by the al-Qaida-inspired jihadists who have seized control of two cities and are now threatening Baghdad, according to WND sources.

Are they US citizens or Mexicans or Salvadorians or Colombians?

 

[paulitician]

Let our new ally Iran handle it...stupidest war ever!

Yup, Iran is seizing the moment. Their Troops are pouring in. And they're invited guests. The big winners in this tragic mess are Iran and Al Qaeda. Should have left ole Saddam in there. Now we have to deal with the ugly Blow Back for our meddling. So sad.

 

[BlindBoo]

You are the only fucking liar here. You are a fucking hack covering up American Government Crimes and Blunders in the Middle East. Neo-Libs, Neo-Cons you are all the same. You are pricks who think your shit doesn't stink and think you guys are immune to global blowback. You have no conception of cause and effect and no understanding of the region or its history.

And it is well established the US backed these Islamists. With President Nobel Peace Prize backing these guys they would have never gotten in a position to overthrow the government of Iraq.


CIA begins weapons delivery to Syrian rebels - The Washington Post

Syrian rebels seen firing U.S.-made weapons raises questions - TIME

US reportedly starts supplying Syrian rebels with anti-tank weapons ? RT USA

U.S., Britain suspend aid to north Syria after Islamists seize weapons store | Reuters


The Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria: Two Arab countries fall apart | The Economist

U.S. providing some lethal aid to Syrian rebels: opposition spokesman | Reuters

» Susan Rice Admits U.S. Giving Arms to Al-Qaeda in Syria Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

Send Obama to the Hague as well.

From your first link. Didn't bother with the rest.

"The arms shipments, which are limited to light weapons and other munitions that can be tracked..."

"U.S. officials hope that, taken together, the weapons and gear will boost the profile and prowess of rebel fighters in a conflict that started about 2-1 / 2 years ago."

"The delays prompted several senior U.S. lawmakers to chide the Obama administration for not moving more quickly to aid the Syrian opposition after promising lethal assistance in June."

"The latest effort to provide aid is aimed at supporting rebel fighters who are under the command of Gen. Salim Idriss, according to officials, some of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity because part of the initiative is covert. Idriss is the commander of the Supreme Military Council, a faction of the disjointed armed opposition."

Of course you don't bother with the other links. You just did the same thing synthaholic did. Small arms to islamists don't count as REAL weapons in your deluded mind. Interesting your not bothered by the giving weapons to Islamists part, you are just saying, well it's not as bad as it could be, we could be giving terrorist REAL weapons. And you won't read the other links that challenge your worldview, that things other than small arms(which would count as weapons in your mind) are being given to Islamists.

You are intellectually lazy and dishonest.

I didn't say I didn't read them Zippy, I just didn't bother quoting each one. Not one connected US to intentionally arming the ISIS, period. You're counting on lazy folks who see your multiple posts of the exact same thing as true without checking.

 

[Rotagilla]

From your link:

"Balad Air Force Base has been under attack since Wednesday, when ISIS rebels seized the nearby town of Tikrit, the birthplace of Saddam Hussein.

"The attacking ISIS forces approached Balad Air Force Base in trucks and called through loudspeakers for all private security forces and Iraqi special military to leave immediately or die.

"The U.S. private contractors in touch with WND reported that after hearing the broadcast, the private security forces and the Iraqi military defending the base dropped their weapons and ran.

"The American contractors collected the weapons the fleeing private security forces and Iraqi military left behind and were able to hold off further immediate advances.

200 U.S. contractors surrounded by jihadists in Iraq

Do we know the nationalities of the American contractors?

First sentence in the article;

NEW YORK – About 200 Americans under contract with the Department of Defense at Balad Air Force Base in Iraq are trapped by the al-Qaida-inspired jihadists who have seized control of two cities and are now threatening Baghdad, according to WND sources.

Are they US citizens or Mexicans or Salvadorians or Colombians?

What? You're trying to be funny?
North, Central, or South?
Very clever.

How the flip do you expect me to know?
It says Americans. I don't know how many are from Montana, I don't know how many of them have brown hair, I don't know their education, military experience, age, marital status, what kind of car they drive, I don't know if they're naturalized or native born.......All I know is the article says 200 "Americans"

 

[georgephillip]

First sentence in the article;

NEW YORK – About 200 Americans under contract with the Department of Defense at Balad Air Force Base in Iraq are trapped by the al-Qaida-inspired jihadists who have seized control of two cities and are now threatening Baghdad, according to WND sources.

Are they US citizens or Mexicans or Salvadorians or Colombians?

What? You're trying to be funny?
North, Central, or South?
Very clever.

How the flip do you expect me to know?
It says Americans. I don't know how many are from Montana, I don't know how many of them have brown hair, I don't know their education, military experience, age, marital status, what kind of car they drive, I don't know if they're naturalized or native born.......All I know is the article says 200 "Americans"

The point I'm trying to make is simply this: if they are US citizens as opposed to "hired guns" from South or Central America, Obama will pay a much higher political price for letting them die.

 

[paulitician]

Blow Back on this is getting even uglier. The Kurds have now seized the oil-rich city Kirkuk. They will likely declare their Independence in the near future. And that will lead to all-out War with Turkey.

Do Americans still want this aggressive Foreign Interventionism? I can't see why they would. Look what all our meddling has caused. It's a real shame.

 

[Rotagilla]

Are they US citizens or Mexicans or Salvadorians or Colombians?

What? You're trying to be funny?
North, Central, or South?
Very clever.

How the flip do you expect me to know?
It says Americans. I don't know how many are from Montana, I don't know how many of them have brown hair, I don't know their education, military experience, age, marital status, what kind of car they drive, I don't know if they're naturalized or native born.......All I know is the article says 200 "Americans"

The point I'm trying to make is simply this: if they are US citizens as opposed to "hired guns" from South or Central America, Obama will pay a much higher political price for letting them die.

Oh?
Are there a lot of mercs from mexico, central america and/or south america working for the u.s.in Iraq?

I think Academi, for example (and others) is WELL known for having "operators" in the ME/Iraq.

 

[Steinlight]

From your first link. Didn't bother with the rest.

"The arms shipments, which are limited to light weapons and other munitions that can be tracked..."

"U.S. officials hope that, taken together, the weapons and gear will boost the profile and prowess of rebel fighters in a conflict that started about 2-1 / 2 years ago."

"The delays prompted several senior U.S. lawmakers to chide the Obama administration for not moving more quickly to aid the Syrian opposition after promising lethal assistance in June."

"The latest effort to provide aid is aimed at supporting rebel fighters who are under the command of Gen. Salim Idriss, according to officials, some of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity because part of the initiative is covert. Idriss is the commander of the Supreme Military Council, a faction of the disjointed armed opposition."

Of course you don't bother with the other links. You just did the same thing synthaholic did. Small arms to islamists don't count as REAL weapons in your deluded mind. Interesting your not bothered by the giving weapons to Islamists part, you are just saying, well it's not as bad as it could be, we could be giving terrorist REAL weapons. And you won't read the other links that challenge your worldview, that things other than small arms(which would count as weapons in your mind) are being given to Islamists.

You are intellectually lazy and dishonest.

I didn't say I didn't read them Zippy, I just didn't bother quoting each one. Not one connected US to intentionally arming the ISIS, period. You're counting on lazy folks who see your multiple posts of the exact same thing as true without checking.

Didn't bother with them is different didn't bother quoting. But the point is, if you read those, and keep holding your line we aren't arming islamists, than you are a bold faced liar covering for the administration.
CIA Weapons Going To Jihadists in Syria - Business Insider
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/15/w...rms-sent-to-syrian-rebels.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.businessinsider.com/us-arming-jihadists-syria-2012-10

some more articles.

You can't spin this away, weapons are going from America to Islamists in Syria(including ISIS), and they are using these weapons to overthrow the Iraqi Government. More US intervention leading to blowback. Typical consequence of neo-con-neo-lib intervention.