SOFAs in Iraq
Well, it seems we now have a SOFA with Iraq. A Status of Forces Agreement, means for all intents and purposes, our withdraw timetable has been set and our presence is at the discretion of the government of Iraq. SOFAs are agreements between our government and a foreign government on the status of our military in their country. We have SOFAs with Germany, Italy, and South Korea for instance. It sets what we can and can’t do, how our forces stand legally, etc. So basically, Obama’s 16 month timetable is moot as its all up to the Iraqis as to when we will be gone – “no later than December 31, 2011.” I gathered from reading that in the areas where the Iraqis already have full responsibility the withdraw from those areas must be complete by “no later than June 30, 2009.” I am no legal expert, so I could be reading it wrong, but it looks like there may be quite a few shortened Iraq Tours next year. What that doesn’t say is whether or not those troops will be shifted to Afghanistan.
On a political note, I hope Obama does not get credit for something that obviously was accomplished by the Bush Administration and the Iraqis.
Anyway, here are links to some good information on the SOFA:
The SOFA document – English Translation
The Mudville Gazette – Iraq SOFA Approved (They have had some good coverage on this)
