Just to Repeat: 50,000 US Troops in Iraq....Indefinitely

Have just read Marc Lynch's excellent reaction at Foreign Policy website: "Such a plan could dangerously muddle what needs to be a clear signal of a commitment to withdrawal and probably not work the way it's been presented."

Risking immodestly, we'd like to re-post what we wrote yesterday:

Here’s the stinger, though: 50,000 US troops will remain in Iraq after the “withdrawal”, classified as “residual” forces for training and support of Iraqi security units, intelligence operations, and even possible airstrikes by unmanned aircraft.

And here's The New York Times today:

Even after August 2010, as many as 50,000 of the 142,000 troops now in Iraq would remain, including some combat units reassigned as “Advisory Training Brigades” or “Advisory Assistance Brigades,” the administration and Pentagon officials said.

And forgive us if we ask if "support" is military-speak for "more things change, more they stay the same":

Officers warned that even as overall troop levels dropped, there would be fresh American units deploying to Iraq, both to replace those whose tours end and to reshape the force into one better suited for training and advising Iraqis. While most of the troops remaining after August 2010 would be in support roles, some would still be serving in combat as they conducted counterterrorism missions.