U S Permanent Bases in Iraq?

Yes, I read that about four years ago.It's also in the PNACs (Project For a New American Century)plan. In fact It's kind of common knowledge amongst my friends.I guess the plan is that once a permanent base is established in the middle east a larger war can be coducted from there.

Basically, Hell no we don't plan to leave.

So,does that mean we plan to conduct war from Germany,or Spain,or Japan,or Iceland,or Okinawa,or England,or Korea,or Italy,or any of the other countries we have bases in?

Amigo wrote:

Yes, I read that about four years ago.It's also in the PNACs (Project For a New American Century)plan. In fact It's kind of common knowledge amongst my friends.I guess the plan is that once a permanent base is established in the middle east a larger war can be coducted from there.

Basically, Hell no we don't plan to leave.

So,does that mean we plan to conduct war from Germany,or Spain,or Japan,or Iceland,or Okinawa,or England,or Korea,or Italy,or any of the other countries we have bases in?

mysteryman wrote:

Amigo wrote:

Yes, I read that about four years ago.It's also in the PNACs (Project For a New American Century)plan. In fact It's kind of common knowledge amongst my friends.I guess the plan is that once a permanent base is established in the middle east a larger war can be coducted from there.

Basically, Hell no we don't plan to leave.

So,does that mean we plan to conduct war from Germany,or Spain,or Japan,or Iceland,or Okinawa,or England,or Korea,or Italy,or any of the other countries we have bases in?

Yea

Very good point, mysteryman. Simply because the US has Military bases around the world does not necessarily mean there will or would be continuing war in those countries. In fact, there is not, to my knowledge, which is slim and always a bit skewed. From what I understand, the countries that DO have US bases in them, are grateful, if not for anything else than the revenues they generate for their own country. They may not always agree with American politics....we won't go there....but money does speak.

Last year, as troops poured over the Kuwait border to invade Iraq, the U.S. military set up at least 120 forward operating bases. Then came hundreds of expeditionary and temporary bases that were to last between six months and a year for tactical operations while providing soldiers with such comforts as e-mail and Internet access.

Now U.S. engineers are focusing on constructing 14 "enduring bases," long-term encampments for the thousands of American troops expected to serve in Iraq for at least two years. The bases also would be key outposts for Bush administration policy advisers.

As the U.S. scales back its military presence in Saudi Arabia, Iraq provides an option for an administration eager to maintain a robust military presence in the Middle East and intent on a muscular approach to seeding democracy in the region. The number of U.S. military personnel in Iraq, between 105,000 and 110,000, is expected to remain unchanged through 2006, according to military planners.

"Is this a swap for the Saudi bases?" asked Army Brig. Gen. Robert Pollman, chief engineer for base construction in Iraq. "I don't know. ... When we talk about enduring bases here, we're talking about the present operation, not in terms of America's global strategic base. But this makes sense. It makes a lot of logical sense."

Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, deputy chief of operations for the coalition in Iraq, said the military engineers are trying to prepare for any eventuality.

"This is a blueprint for how we could operate in the Middle East," Kimmitt said. "[But] the engineering vision is well ahead of the policy vision. What the engineers are saying now is: Let's not be behind the policy decision. Let's make this place ready so we can address policy options."

To that end, the U.S. plans to operate from former Iraqi bases in Baghdad, Mosul, Taji, Balad, Kirkuk and in areas near Nasiriyah, near Tikrit, near Fallujah and between Irbil and Kirkuk.

There also are plans to renovate and enhance airfields in Baghdad and Mosul, and rebuild 70 miles of road on the main route for U.S. troops headed north.