Iraq-U.S. security deal
Marines of Company B, 1st Bn., 3rd Marines, Iraq (Image: Lance Cpl. Achilles Tsantarlioti)
The Iraqi cabinet has approved a security pact with the U.S. governing the future presence of 150,000 US troops in the country.
The Iraqi Prime Minister signed on behalf of his government, saying it was a "historic" day today. Under this deal, U.S. military operations in Iraq will be scaled back, and if conditions allow, American troops could leave Iraq by the end of 2011.
The deal still has to get through the Iraqi Parliament. The former spokesman for the Iraqi government is optimistic to a point: "My assessment is that once it goes to Parliament, there will be some resistance to it … but it seems that it’s going to be a go."
Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr is one of the very influential voices in opposition of this deal, and has threatened armed resistance.
The Iranian government, who’s been known to support al-Sadr and other Shiite parties, has publicly endorsed this deal.
PRI’s "The World" is a one-hour, weekday radio news magazine offering a mix of news, features, interviews, and music from around the globe. "The World" is a co-production of the BBC World Service, PRI and WGBH Boston.
The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you: We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.
When you make a gift of $10 or more a month, we’ll invite you to a virtual behind-the-scenes tour of our newsroom to thank you for being with The World.