Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org (Home - Stephen Lendman)

In early May, Trump and US-installed puppet Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi discussed keeping US troops in the country after the battle of Mosul ends.

Talks involved Defense Secretary Mattis and other Iraqi officials on how America’s permanent presence would affect the country.

An understanding was reached short of finalizing how things will work. Washington’s goal is preventing Russian influence in Iraq, along with assuring Big Oil profits from its oil.

Washington began raping and destroying Iraq during the Carter years. Its people suffered horrifically because of US imperial lawlessness - for 37 nightmarish years, millions of lives lost in the process.

It’s unclear what force-strength Washington intends maintaining in the country. Its sovereignty will never be regained or people liberated as US occupation continues.

At least 7,000 US troops are currently are deployed to Iraq. It’s in America’s interest, not Baghdad’s, to keep them there, maybe thousands more coming.

Mattis said US involvement will continue after its Mosul operation ends - America to remain “decisively engaged in Iraq and the region,” he stressed.

Joint Chiefs Chairman General Joseph Dunford agreed, saying US troops will remain in the country “for years to come.”

Permanent occupation is planned - similar to what Washington intends for Afghanistan and Syria. Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said Trump “delegated the authority for force management levels in” in all three countries to Defense Secretary Mattis.

Separately, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve commanding General Stephen Townsend said he expects America’s military presence will remain in Iraq once the battle of Mosul ends.

America’s months-long campaign wasn’t about defeating ISIS. Most of its fighters were redeployed to Syria, perhaps to be sent back to Iraq or elsewhere if Mattis and Pentagon commanders want another pretext for greater US military involvement in any country they have in mind.

America’s plans for permanent occupation of Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria assure forever wars continuing with no end of fighting as far ahead as US dark forces want things this way - a nightmarish scenario for its people.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

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