December 2011 Archives

The U.S. military closed its Baghdad headquarters last week, formally marking the end of the war as the remaining 3,500 troops leave the country. After nearly nine years of war, nearly 4,500 American troops killed, 30,000 wounded, and nearly $1 trillion spent--and possibly over a hundred thousands of Iraqis dead and millions displaced within the country and abroad--will Iraq's security forces be able to maintain security within and on its borders? What role if any will the U.S. have in Iraq's future security? What is the greatest challenge Iraqis will face in the next year?

7 responses: Sydney J. Freedberg Jr., Col. W. Patrick Lang, Col. W. Patrick Lang, Sydney J. Freedberg Jr., Michael Brenner, Michael Brenner, Col. W. Patrick Lang

Defying a White House veto threat, the Senate adopted controversial detainee provisions within the defense authorization bill last week that would require mandatory military detention for some terrorism suspects. Do you agree with the administration and a slew of law enforcement, intelligence, and Pentagon officials who argue the provisions reduce their flexibility in handling the war on terror? Or do you agree with the Senate Armed Services Committee leadership who insist the provisions merely "codify" existing procedures? Will the White House veto the bill? Should the waiver be enough to assuage administration concerns? Is this a discussion suited to the Senate floor during debate of the defense authorization bill, or should it have taken place at a different time?

5 responses: Michael Vlahos, Col. W. Patrick Lang, Ron Marks, Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., Michael Brenner