We are still at war in Iraq

[Quantum Windbag]

Lots of interesting things are coming out of the Rand filibuster, like the fact that, despite the posturing of Obama, we haven't actually ended the war in Iraq. It turns out that Obama can send American troops back there without clearing it with Congress because the AUMF is still in force.

Paul tried to revoke the authorization by amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act in 2011—the amendment failed with only 30 yes votes (only three Republicans joined Paul; Jim DeMint, Dean Heller, and Olympia Snowe). Less than a year later, the fact that that authorization for military force remained in effect helped the administration redeploy military (special ops) forces to Iraq without controversy or, for that matter, coverage. Spotted by the Nation, in the fifteenth paragraph of a contemporaneous New York Times article (below the digital fold):

Iraq and the United States are negotiating an agreement that could result in the return of small units of American soldiers to Iraq on training missions. At the request of the Iraqi government, according to General Caslen, a unit of Army Special Operations soldiers was recently deployed to Iraq to advise on counterterrorism and help with intelligence.​

The last U.S. commander in Iraq before the troop withdrawal told a Senate committee last month that the situation in Iraq remains “fragile.” As Rand Paul reminded us today, the authorization of military force is still in effect, so the door to war remains always open.

Rand Paul: Congress Couldn?t Even Vote to End Iraq War After It Was Over - Hit & Run : Reason.com

Feel free to follow the various links in the OP to read it for yourself.

 

[TheOldSchool]

Jesus can't we just stay the hell out of there?

 

[aaronleland]

And only three Republicans joined Paul. RINOs!!!

 

[there4eyeM]

It is proved, once again, for the umpteenth time, that both parties are complicit in immoral and illegal acts. It could be pointed out, however, that 'W' & Co. directly engaged America in this mess. Amazing how these people manage to sleep at night.

 

[Oldguy]

Lots of interesting things are coming out of the Rand filibuster, like the fact that, despite the posturing of Obama, we haven't actually ended the war in Iraq. It turns out that Obama can send American troops back there without clearing it with Congress because the AUMF is still in force.

Paul tried to revoke the authorization by amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act in 2011—the amendment failed with only 30 yes votes (only three Republicans joined Paul; Jim DeMint, Dean Heller, and Olympia Snowe). Less than a year later, the fact that that authorization for military force remained in effect helped the administration redeploy military (special ops) forces to Iraq without controversy or, for that matter, coverage. Spotted by the Nation, in the fifteenth paragraph of a contemporaneous New York Times article (below the digital fold):

Iraq and the United States are negotiating an agreement that could result in the return of small units of American soldiers to Iraq on training missions. At the request of the Iraqi government, according to General Caslen, a unit of Army Special Operations soldiers was recently deployed to Iraq to advise on counterterrorism and help with intelligence.​

The last U.S. commander in Iraq before the troop withdrawal told a Senate committee last month that the situation in Iraq remains “fragile.” As Rand Paul reminded us today, the authorization of military force is still in effect, so the door to war remains always open.

Rand Paul: Congress Couldn?t Even Vote to End Iraq War After It Was Over - Hit & Run : Reason.com

Feel free to follow the various links in the OP to read it for yourself.

Training indigenous forces has been going on in several countries for decades. From the very beginning of the Army's Special Forces, training others has been, and still is, a primary mission. Today, that mission is also being done by other services and types of units. For instance, our local Texas National Guard unit has been deployed to the Horn of Africa to train locals...twice.

This isn't anything new and not indicative of some kind of coverup or conspiracy. Training Iraqi forces was always a part of the withdrawal plan and it will be done after combat forces leave Afghanistan too.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

Lots of interesting things are coming out of the Rand filibuster, like the fact that, despite the posturing of Obama, we haven't actually ended the war in Iraq. It turns out that Obama can send American troops back there without clearing it with Congress because the AUMF is still in force.

Paul tried to revoke the authorization by amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act in 2011—the amendment failed with only 30 yes votes (only three Republicans joined Paul; Jim DeMint, Dean Heller, and Olympia Snowe). Less than a year later, the fact that that authorization for military force remained in effect helped the administration redeploy military (special ops) forces to Iraq without controversy or, for that matter, coverage. Spotted by the Nation, in the fifteenth paragraph of a contemporaneous New York Times article (below the digital fold):

Iraq and the United States are negotiating an agreement that could result in the return of small units of American soldiers to Iraq on training missions. At the request of the Iraqi government, according to General Caslen, a unit of Army Special Operations soldiers was recently deployed to Iraq to advise on counterterrorism and help with intelligence.​

The last U.S. commander in Iraq before the troop withdrawal told a Senate committee last month that the situation in Iraq remains “fragile.” As Rand Paul reminded us today, the authorization of military force is still in effect, so the door to war remains always open.

Rand Paul: Congress Couldn?t Even Vote to End Iraq War After It Was Over - Hit & Run : Reason.com

Feel free to follow the various links in the OP to read it for yourself.

Training indigenous forces has been going on in several countries for decades. From the very beginning of the Army's Special Forces, training others has been, and still is, a primary mission. Today, that mission is also being done by other services and types of units. For instance, our local Texas National Guard unit has been deployed to the Horn of Africa to train locals...twice.

This isn't anything new and not indicative of some kind of coverup or conspiracy. Training Iraqi forces was always a part of the withdrawal plan and it will be done after combat forces leave Afghanistan too.

Lots of things have been going on for decades, that doesn't mean we should be doing them. The difference is that, under existing law, Obama could order a full fledged invasion of Iraq without consulting Congress. That is Paul's beef, and mine.