http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm The Association of Young Americans Policy Issue of the day. en-us Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:00:09 -0400 Mon, 25 May 2009 09:51:00 -0400 BlogCFC http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss young_americans@hotmail.com young_americans@hotmail.com http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/5/25/Iraq-Attacks-Decline As U.S. troops begin to draw down in Iraq, the number of attacks has dropped. The Wall Street Journal reports that "U.S. military spokesman Maj. Gen. David Perkins said there had been 13 significant attacks in Iraq this month as of May 23 compared with 28 during the whole of April. He also said the number of mass casualties this month as of May 23 is down 58% from the equivalent period through May 23 last year. Gen. Perkins also said that as American combat forces prepare to withdraw from Iraqi cities by a June 30 deadline, the transition period will mean a period of vulnerability. But both the Iraqi and American security forces are working to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible, so that the country doesn't see a severe spike in violence." As noted on the White House website, President Obama has set out that "By August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end and Iraqi Security Forces will have full responsibility for major combat missions. After August 31, 2010, the mission of United States forces in Iraq will fundamentally change. Our forces will have three tasks: train, equip, and advise the Iraqi Security Forces; conduct targeted counterterrorism operations; and provide force protection for military and civilian personnel. The President intends to keep our commitment under the Status of Forces Agreement to remove all of our troops from Iraq by the end of 2011."On this memorial day we at the Association of Young Americans remember and honor the memory of our fellow Americans who gave what Abraham Lincoln called "the last full measure of devotion" to our country. Iraq Military Mon, 25 May 2009 09:51:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/5/25/Iraq-Attacks-Decline http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/2/3/Iraqs-Elections This past Saturday, Iraq conducted provincial elections, with a reported 51% voter turnout. "But turnout shot up in some Sunni-dominated parts of the country, such as Ninevah province, where it is thought to have reached at least 60% compared with 14% four years ago, Iraqi officials told news agencies. The elections were held in 14 of the country's 18 provinces, with more than 14,000 candidates competing for just 440 seats. There was no voting in the three provinces of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of the north and the ballot was postponed in oil-rich Kirkuk province," reports the BBC.Share your thoughts, questions and concerns about Iraq in our Forums. Iraq Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:16:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2009/2/3/Iraqs-Elections http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/10/28/Top-Concern-5-Iraq Although domestic concerns have taken the War from the forefront of many American's minds, Iraq remains one of the top concerns facing our country. The war in Iraq will be almost 6 years old when the next president is sworn into office. According to procon.org, 89% of fatalities in Iraq are under 36 years of age. Following the Surge' of US forces in the last year, violence across the country decreased. Troop levels have since returned to approximately 150,000 and violence has remained lower. General David Petraeus has spoken about the progress made as a result of the surge, while also cautioning that more hard work remains. There are still concern about the possibility of violence increasing in Iraq. New National Intelligence Estimate is apparently being completed, reports mcclatchydc.com. "A nearly completed high-level U.S. intelligence analysis warns that unresolved ethnic and sectarian tensions in Iraq could unleash a new wave of violence, potentially reversing the major security and political gains achieved over the last year."Sectarian violence and hostility remains a problem. Yahoo News reports that "In Baghdad , where most of the sectarian cleansing has taken place, about 8 percent of the people who moved within the country have gone back to their neighborhoods, according to the International Organization for Migration. Many Iraqi families have returned to their old homes in peace, but a disturbing trend already is emerging: They're being targeted and attacked, and in some cases killed, for returning to their homes. Some returnees have been threatened. Others have found explosives tied to their front doors. Some have had their homes blown up. The trend, along with an uptick in sectarian and ethnic violence in northern Iraq and growing tensions among rival Shiite factions in the south, is a worrisome development for American political and military leaders who're increasingly eager to declare victory and begin withdrawing more U.S. troops from Iraq in order to send more forces to Afghanistan."Here are links to the Candidates issue pages on IraqJohn McCain (R)Barack Obama (D)Bob Barr (L)Ralph Nader (I) 2008 election Iraq Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:21:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/10/28/Top-Concern-5-Iraq http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/9/16/Petraeus-turns-over-Command-in-Iraq With Iraq (depending on who you asked) in or on the verge of a full-blown civil war, General David took command in 2007 and has led a turn around, which allows for the possibility today of a stable functioning nation in Iraq. "Petraeus leaves behind a heavy dose of caution, reflected in his recommendation to President Bush that he maintain 15 combat brigades in Iraq through the end of the year instead of pulling out one or two, as many had expected," reports the USA Today. Petraeus will become head of U.S. Central Command, based in Tampa Florida. His deputy in Iraq, General Ray Odierno will take over in Iraq. The BBC reports that "Gen Odierno said he was aware of the tough task ahead, adding that the Iraqi people must take charge as 'the struggle is theirs to win'. He said: 'Iraq is now a different country from the one I had seen first. However, we must realise that these gains are fragile and reversible.' What is your assessment of the situation in Iraq? How do you think the US shoudl proceed in the next 12-18 months? Share your thoughts and concerns in the Iraq Forum. Iraq Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:41:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/9/16/Petraeus-turns-over-Command-in-Iraq http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/7/2/Progress-on-Iraq-Benchmarks A recent White House 'report card' to Congress on progress in Iraq apparently finds "satisfactory" progress on 15 of 18 established benchmarks. "The White House sees the progress in a particularly positive light, declaring in a new assessment to Congress that Iraq's efforts on 15 of 18 benchmarks are "satisfactory" almost twice of what it determined to be the case a year ago. The May 2008 report card, obtained by the Associated Press, determines that only two of the benchmarks enacting and implementing laws to disarm militias and distribute oil revenues are unsatisfactory," reports the USA Today. "In the May progress report, one benchmark was deemed to have brought mixed results. The Iraqi army has made satisfactory progress on the goal of fairly enforcing the law, while the nation's police force remains plagued by sectarianism, according to the administration assessment." Learn more about the situation in Iraq here on our website. What is your assessment of the situation in Iraq and the US presence there? Do you think keeping significant US troop levels in the country is necessary for the stability of Iraq? Do you think keeping significant US troop levels in Iraq is in the best interests of the United States and our national security? Share your thoughts in our Iraq forum. Iraq Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:11:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/7/2/Progress-on-Iraq-Benchmarks http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/5/23/More-Troops-Reductions-in-Iraq Yesterday General Petraeus, the top general in Iraq, indicated to a Senate panel that additional troop reductions this fall were likely. "Ending speculation on whether the current drawdown would continue, Gen. David Petraeus told a Senate panel Thursday that he will provide an assessment of the security situation by October that will include specific recommendations about continuing the drawdown of troops," reports the Christian Science Monitor. "The move would help relieve the overstretched Army. It could also bolster the hopes of many in and outside the Pentagon that more troops would be made available to send to Afghanistan in early 2009." Presently there are approximately 150,000 troops in Iraq. Share your thoughts on Gen. Petraeus's statements and the situation in Iraq in our Iraq Forum. Iraq Fri, 23 May 2008 11:47:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/5/23/More-Troops-Reductions-in-Iraq http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/5/12/Ceasefire-in-Iraq After weeks of increased fighting between Shiite militias and Iraqi/US forces, an apparent cease-fire has been established. "Al-Sadr's representatives and the rival United Iraqi Alliance agreed to institute the four-day cease-fire starting on Sunday, but talks over the details of the truce were not finished until a day later. The deal allows Iraqi forces to take over security in the militia stronghold of Sadr City on Wednesday," reports the San Francisco Chronicle. "Under the compromise deal, Iraqi forces will try to refrain from seeking American help to restore order. The U.S. military officials on Sunday said they were supporting the government forces and would take their lead. The Sadrists, meanwhile, rejected calls by al-Maliki to surrender weapons but agreed to allow Iraqi security sweeps, saying Mahdi fighters have no 'medium or heavy weapons.'"It is interesting that a term of the cease-fire is that Iraq forces will attempt to rely less on US forces. Why do you think that al-Sadr would want that as a term of the agreement? The government, led by Maliki, is made up of a shiite majority and the militias at issue are also shiite. The perspective of the sunni population on this cease-fire is unclear. Share your thoughts and questions about the situation in Iraq in our Forum. Iraq Mon, 12 May 2008 17:53:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/5/12/Ceasefire-in-Iraq http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/4/30/47-American-Deaths-in-Iraq-this-month An article in Yahoo News reports that "The killings of three U.S. soldiers in separate attacks in Baghdad pushed the American death toll for April up to 47, making it the deadliest month since September, the military said Wednesday." The article also noted that at least 4,059 members of the US Military have died in Iraq since the start of the war. In December of 2006 the much anticipated report from the Iraq Study Group was released. You can review our summary of the report here. Interestingly, the report stated (on page 49): "By the first quarter of 2008, subject to unexpected developments in the security situation on the ground, all combat brigades not necessary for force protection could be out of Iraq."What are your thoughts on the situation in Iraq? Do you think that we need to maintain a significant presence in Iraq until it is stabilized? Do you think we should start withdrawing tomorrow? Are you unsure of what the appropriate course of action is? Share your thoughts and questions in the Iraq Forum. Iraq Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:42:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/4/30/47-American-Deaths-in-Iraq-this-month http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/4/8/Gen-Petraeus-testifies-on-Iraq General David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. troops in Iraq, testified today before the Senate Armed Services Committee. He told the Committee "that he recommends a 45-day 'period of consolidation and evaluation' once the extra combat forces that President Bush ordered to Iraq last year have completed their pullout in July. He did not commit to a timetable for resuming troop reductions after the 45-day pause. 'At the end of that period, we will commence a process of assessment to examine the conditions on the ground and, over time, determine when we can make recommendations for further reductions,' Petraeus said. He did not commit to any additional troop withdrawals beyond July," as reported in an Associated Press article in Yahoo News. You can see clips from the Association of Young Americans Forum on the War in Iraq on YouTube. Share your thoughts on the General's testimony and the current situation in Iraq on the Iraq Forum. Iraq Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:48:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/4/8/Gen-Petraeus-testifies-on-Iraq http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/3/26/Heavy-fighting-in-Iraq In the last few days there has been significant fighting between Shiite militias and US & Iraqi security forces in Baghdad and Basra. The New York Times reports that "The battles, along with indications in recent weeks that militia and insurgent attacks had already been creeping up, raised fears across Iraq that Moktada al-Sadr, the renegade Shiite cleric, could pull out of a cease-fire he declared last summer. If his Mahdi Army militia does step up attacks, that could in turn slow American troop withdrawals." The Christian Science Monitor included reports that the cease fire might be over. "The US blames the latest attacks on rogue Mahdi Army elements tied to Iran, but analysts say the spike in fighting with Shiite militants potentially opens a second front in the war when the American military is still doing battle with the Sunni extremists of Al Qaeda in Iraq. 'The cease-fire is over; we have been told to fight the Americans,' said one Mahdi Army militiaman, who was reached by telephone in Sadr City. This same man, when interviewed in January, had stated that he was abiding by the cease-fire and that he was keeping busy running his cellular phone store." As the US begins its 6th year in Baghdad, what are your thoughts about the war? Share your thoughts in the Iraq Forum. Iraq Wed, 26 Mar 2008 08:47:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/3/26/Heavy-fighting-in-Iraq http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/3/19/5th-Anniversary-of-War-in-Iraq Today is the 5th anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq. "President Bush marked the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq today by defending his decision to topple Saddam Hussein and predicting that last year's military surge will open the door 'to major strategic victory in the war against terror,'" reports the LA Times. "To an audience at the Pentagon, Bush argued that the Iraqi efforts against Al Qaeda amount to 'the first large scale Arab uprising' against Osama bin Laden and his brand of terrorism."As of today, the website icasualties.org records 3991 US deaths in Iraq since the start of the war. Share your thoughts, as the War begins it 6th year, in our Iraq Forum. Iraq Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:38:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/3/19/5th-Anniversary-of-War-in-Iraq http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/3/4/Young-Iraqis-and-Religion A piece in today's New York Times discusses young Iraqi's view of religion and their religious leaders. "In two months of interviews with 40 young people in five Iraqi cities, a pattern of disenchantment emerged, in which young Iraqis, both poor and middle class, blamed clerics for the violence and the restrictions that have narrowed their lives." The article went on to note that "While religious extremists are admired by a number of young people in other parts of the Arab world, Iraq offers a test case of what could happen when extremist theories are applied. Fingers caught in the act of smoking were broken. Long hair was cut and force-fed to its wearer. In that laboratory, disillusionment with Islamic leaders took hold." The entire article is available at the link above. Assuming this is true broadly in Iraq, do you think this has implications for the development of the Iraqi Government? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Iraq Forum. Iraq Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:42:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/3/4/Young-Iraqis-and-Religion http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/2/26/Army-out-of-balance In testimony today before the Senate Armed Services Committee, General George Casey discussed the need for reduced combat tours. "'The cumulative effects of the last six-plus years at war have left our Army out of balance, consumed by the current fight and unable to do the things we know we need to do to properly sustain our all-volunteer force and restore our flexibility for an uncertain future,' said Gen. George Casey, chief of staff of the Army," reports the USA Today, "Casey told the [...] Committee that cutting the time soldiers spend in combat is an integral part of reducing the stress on the force. He said he anticipates the service can cut combat tours from 15 months to 12 months this year, so long as the president reduces the number of active-duty Army brigades in Iraq and Afghanistan to 15 units by July as planned." This report comes following security gains credited in part to the "surge" of US troops and some progress by the Iraqi government on important legislation (see post of 2/13/08 - Iraq Passes 3 Important Laws). How does Gen. Casey's testimony and the recent progress by the Iraqi government impact you view of the situation in IRaq and America's continued military presence there? Share your thoughts in the Iraq Forum. Foreign policy Iraq Military Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:12:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/2/26/Army-out-of-balance http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/2/13/Iraq-Passes-3-Important-Laws After stalemates and long periods of inaction, today the Iraqi Parliament passed - unanimously - three important laws in one unified bill. "The three laws are the 2008 budget, a law outlining the scope of provincial powers a crucial aspect of Iraq's self-definition as a federal state and an amnesty that will cover thousands of the detainees held in Iraqi jails. They were put to a vote as a single package," reports the New York Times. "Passage of the measures represents a significant achievement for the Parliament, which on many days could not muster a quorum. The approach of voting on the three laws together broke the logjam because it allowed every group to boast that it had won something. Leaders of the blocs Shiite, Sunni and Kurd realized that while no single law could pass on its own, together, the measures offered something for each political constituency. So factions would swallow the laws they liked least in order to get the one they wanted."What has become known as the "surge' strategy - increasing the number of US troops in Iraq by about 30,000 last year - was supposed to make the nation, and Baghdad particularly, more secure so as to provide 'breathing room' for government officials to come to agreements on critical issues. There has been critiques of the surge up to this point, because whicl security had improved, little if any progress had been made by the Iraqi government. Passage of these laws appears to show progress and could impact both current US policy and the positions of presidential candidates. Share your thoughts on the situation in Iraq in our Forum. Iraq Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:55:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/2/13/Iraq-Passes-3-Important-Laws http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/1/31/Troop-levels-in-Iraq Following about 5,000 troops coming home in December of '07, an additional 5 brigades are scheduled to leave Iraq, returning troop levels in Iraq to approximately 130,000 - the pre-surge level. "Mr. Bush has made no decisions on troop reductions to follow those he announced last September. But White House officials said Mr. Bush had been taking the opportunity, as he did in Monday's State of the Union address, to prepare Americans for the possibility that, when he leaves office a year from now, the military presence in Iraq will be just as large as it was a year ago, or even slightly larger," reports the New York Times. "What a continuing commitment of 15 brigades - more than 130,000 troops would mean for the Army as a whole is said to be a major concern of General Casey, among others on the joint staff. What do you think about the ongoing situtaion in Iraq? What do you think of the discusion of Iraq among the Presidential candidates? Learn more about the situation in Iraq in our issue paper and in a video of our Iraq forum on youtube. Share your thoughts in the Iraq Forum. Iraq Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:03:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/1/31/Troop-levels-in-Iraq