Senate Breaks With Trump on Afghanistan, Syria Withdrawal

MARY CLARE JALONICK / The Associated Press Feb 4, 2019 It backs a measure sponsored by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that says Islamic State and al-Qaida militants remain a serious threat. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Tom Hayden on Iraq: Beyond the Horizon, the Storm

Tom Hayden / Truthdig Oct 28, 2016 From the archives: In 2006, the social activist warned that an increasingly mainstream anti-war movement can be prone to loss of focus. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Psst! We May Never Leave

Staff / Truthdig Jul 24, 2009 While affirming the Dec. 31, 2011, date for the pullout of U.S. troops from Iraq, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki did mention in a speech to a Washington think tank the possibility of extending that deadline if Iraqi forces still required "further training and further support." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Israeli Troops Finally Out?

Staff / Truthdig Jan 21, 2009 About 1,300 Palestinians dead, $2 billion in damage and thousands of devastated families later, Israel claims it has officially pulled its troops from the Gaza Strip after its three-week assault -- with no formal deal between Israel and Hamas and thus no real change in relations between the two sides. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Iraq Prepares for U.S. Withdrawal

Staff / Truthdig May 22, 2007 Iraqi Defense Minister Abdul-Qader al-Obeidi revealed Monday that his government is planning for a rapid pullout of American forces: "The army plans on the basis of a worst-case scenario so as not to allow any security vacuum There are meetings with political leaders on how we can deal with a sudden pullout". Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Veto Stands

Staff / Truthdig May 3, 2007 Congress regrouped Wednesday to vote in response to President Bush's veto of the troop pullout bill on Tuesday, but the bill's supporters failed to win the two-thirds of House votes needed to override the veto. Now Democrats, responsible for 220 of the 222 votes to override (203 members voted in opposition), have to take a different tack. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

House Sets Withdrawal Date

Staff / Truthdig Apr 26, 2007 The House has voted 218 to 208 to approve a withdrawal timetable for Iraq, with a pullout set to begin by Oct. 1. The Senate is expected to pass its version of the bill Thursday, sending the measure to President Bush for his inevitable veto. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

House Approves Iraq Timetable

Staff / Truthdig Mar 23, 2007 The House of Representatives narrowly passed the hotly debated timeline for getting American troops out of Iraq by Aug. 31, 2008. Bush has indicated he will veto the bill. In a statement to the press, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: "The American people see the reality of war. The president does not." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Pentagon Looks Beyond the Surge

Staff / Truthdig Mar 12, 2007 Military commanders have begun to develop a contingency plan for Iraq that envisions a drawdown of troops. The strategy is based in large part on past American machinations in El Salvador, and will focus on training locals rather than providing the main force. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

14th Time’s the Charm

Staff / Truthdig Aug 25, 2006 Whether it's because he's facing a tough campaign against an antiwar Democrat or he just lost his supply of kool-aid, Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) has swung 'round to sanity on the Iraq war. After returning from his 14th visit to Iraq, the once-steadfast hawk called for a timetable for withdrawal and bashed Rumsfeld: "I haven't had faith in the secretary in a long time." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Key Democrats Call for Iraq Pullout

Staff / Truthdig Aug 1, 2006 Every top Democrat on Senate and House committees on military, intelligence and international affairs signed a letter addressed to President Bush calling for a phased pullout of troops from Iraq. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Survey: Dem Voters Ahead of Leaders on Iraq Pullout

Staff / Truthdig Jun 27, 2006 Two-thirds of Democratic voters favor setting a timeline for withdrawing troops from Iraq, says a new Wash Post poll, while most of the Democratic presidential hopefuls for 2008 remain noncommittal. The poll also shows that Democrats are quickly losing ground to Republicans on key 2006 election issues. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )