McCain Questions Stability Of Iraq After Troop Withdrawal

By Kaeun Yu

As the United States prepares for a shift in policy in Iraq, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said he is not confident Iraq will have the support it needs should troops be withdrawn according to President Obama’s schedule.

“I have real concerns about whether the proposed civilian-led mission that will take the lead once our troops are gone is sufficient to support Iraqi needs of U.S. interest,” said McCain.

Gen. Lloyd Austin, top U.S. military commander in Iraq, also agreed the U.S. is still far from completing its mission. According to Austin, the U.S. Forces and Iraqi Security Forces have just recently begun a collective training regiment to improve security.

“The security environment [in Iraq] continues to improve, but it will remain complex in the threats to stability in 2012,” said Austin. “The government cannot provide security for Iraqi people.”

Current tasks performed by U.S. troops will transition to the tasks of civilians and contractors at the year’s end. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said “our goal is to leave behind Iraq stable.”