In addition to troop reinforcements reported earlier in the week, President Obama today announced the deployment of 300 military advisers to Iraq. These advisers would provide support and training to the Iraqi military, while previously announced deployments would secure U.S. diplomatic interests, such as the sprawling American embassy in Baghdad.
In a press conference at the White House today, Obama noted that these advisers aren’t “combat troops.”
“American combat troops are not going to be fighting in Iraq again,” he said. “We do not have the ability to solve this problem by sending in tens of thousands of troops.”
After announcing his decision to send advisors to help the Iraq military, Obama emphasized that the situation ultimately must be resolved by Iraqis.
One of the many concerns here is whether the advisers, should they be engaged in combat… CONTINUE READING
(ht Patrick Rooney)