Sunday, October 23, 2011

So are US troops really leaving Iraq? Here are the numbers (unclassified)

So compare this headline of the Washington Post with the text of the story.  Headline:  "All U.S. troops to leave Iraq by the end of 2011."  Now the text of the story:  
"As a result, only a contingent of fewer than 200 Marines assigned to help protect the large U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad will remain...About 16,000 U.S. diplomats and civilian contractors will remain posted in Iraq."  I like that the 16,000 figure did not distinguish between those who are diplomats and those who are mercenaries--I mean, "civilian contractors."