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Maliki Says No U.S. Soldiers in Iraq After 2011

Staff / Truthdig Dec 29, 2010 "The last American soldier will leave Iraq" after the pre-negotiated 2011 deadline, regardless of any rumblings among American officials, says Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The status of forces agreement governing the U.S. military presence in Iraq, Maliki adds, "is not subject to extension, not subject to alteration, it is sealed, it expires on Dec. 31 [2011]." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Top U.S. General in Iraq Says U.S. Won’t Be Invited to Stick Around

Staff / Truthdig Mar 11, 2009 Gen Ray Odierno, the top US commander in Iraq, said he doesn't expect the Iraqi government to ask U troops to remain beyond the 2011 deadline "I think that the Iraq leadership is focused on that this ends in 2011," Odierno told the Associated Press If security allows, the number of U troops to be withdrawn this year will increase 3,500 (one brigade) over the number of 12,000 previously announced, the general said. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Bush Survives Shoe Attack

Staff / Truthdig Dec 15, 2008 George W. Bush has always had a rocky relationship with the press, but he probably never saw this coming. During a news conference in Baghdad on Sunday, a reporter took off his shoes and hurled them at the president, who showed off his cat-like reflexes. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Iraqi Parliament Approves Occupation Deal

Staff / Truthdig Nov 28, 2008 What is George W. Bush thankful for? The Iraqi parliament voted Thursday to approve an agreement outlining the terms of U.S. military operations in the country. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki described the deal, negotiated over a year, as "an agreement for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Time Is Running Out for Iraq Occupation Deal

Staff / Truthdig Oct 22, 2008 Here's one way to get US troops out of Iraq: The tediously negotiated status-of-forces agreement between the U and Iraq has met yet another snag The current legal justification for the occupation of Iraq is about to expire, and the U is eager to pass new guidelines, but the Iraqi Cabinet is hitting the brakes. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Occupation Negotiations Hit Snags

Staff / Truthdig Jul 14, 2008 President Bush had hoped to shape America's military presence in Iraq for years after his departure from the White House by negotiating a long-term status-of-forces agreement, but a number of sticking points indicate there will be a much shorter time frame. U.S. negotiators have agreed to a kind of timetable for withdrawal, as demanded by the Iraqis, but are holding out over legal immunity for American forces. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Maliki Mulls Troop Pullout

Staff / Truthdig Jul 8, 2008 Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, eager to sell his colleagues on a status-of-forces agreement with the US, has suggested the possibility of a built-in troop withdrawal timetable The Pentagon isn't impressed "Timelines tend to be artificial in nature," cautioned a U military spokesman. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )