Couple of things here to note:
1) With unrest and de-ISIS ops stalled, there's an easy case to be made the retrenching on a few bases makes sense, whether the military ultimately withdraws or not.
1) With unrest and de-ISIS ops stalled, there's an easy case to be made the retrenching on a few bases makes sense, whether the military ultimately withdraws or not.
2) The officer writing here -- @william_seely -- states plainly that "We respect your sovereign decision to order our departure." That highlights the difficult position President Trump is putting the military in by threatening Iraq with sanctions at the same time.
@william_seely 3) As the memo highlights, the repositioning certainly means the U.S. will need to move about in a very uncertain security situation. Can't forget that, either.
@william_seely 4) U.S. military official tells me this memo is "100% real."
@william_seely 5) SECDEF Esper just addressed reporters at Pentagon (speaking for first time since Soleimani's death). Per @PaulSonne in the room, he said, "That letter is inconsistent with where we are right now." But other officials confirm it was authentic, sent and received by the Iraqis.
@william_seely @PaulSonne 6) Further, we have two things going on here.
One appears to be a pulling back onto fewer bases -- a step that makes security easier, and also packing. The other is the administration not willing to admit this would be a first step toward withdrawal.
One appears to be a pulling back onto fewer bases -- a step that makes security easier, and also packing. The other is the administration not willing to admit this would be a first step toward withdrawal.
@william_seely @PaulSonne 7) Gen. Milley just confirmed this letter was real and called it "a mistake."
