End of Mission-Iraq

[Steve the Planner]

The latest from Christian Science Monitor on post-withdrawal Iraq:

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Backc...ivil-war-again

[Steve the Planner]

Musings on Iraq has this recap:

http://musingsoniraq.blogspot.com/20...ut-at-his.html

[Steve the Planner]

Kansas City Star provides a good recap of the importance of the Iraq mission---the mass graves for 400,000 Shias and political opponents, and 180,000 Kurds:

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/12/18...raqs-mass.html

KRG Dispute Committee maps of the Anfal actions:

http://krg-dagb.org/english/maps.php

None of this addresses the hundreds and thousands killed individually.

The true narrative of the Iraq War lies somewhere in these figures and maps (and slit trenches across the deserts), as is the challenges faced on the ground in its aftermath by the military and Iraqis, and the legacy and purpose of those US military efforts and losses.

[Steve the Planner]

Salt Lake Tribune article provides the following quotes from NYC:

Two New York City councilmen, Republicans Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo, have called for a ticker-tape parade down the stretch of Broadway known as the Canyon of Heroes. A similar celebration after the Gulf War was paid for with more than $5.2 million in private donations, a model the councilmen would like to follow.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said last week that he was open to the idea but added, "It’s a federal thing that we really don’t want to do without talking to Washington, and we’ll be doing that."

But the story goes on to say 'don't hold your breathe.'

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/world/5...arade.html.csp