American Withdrawal from Iraq and the Resurgence of al-Qaeda

2006-2007 marked a time of violence in Iraq. Following the American invasion of 2003, numerous terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda,were fighting a guerilla campaign against the American occupiers and their colleagues in the Iraqi Security Force. The American response was to implement a surge of troops, which was successful in reducing the organization and effectiveness of al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups. But, following the 2011 withdrawal of American troops, we have recently seen a resurgence by al-Qaeda in Iraq. To understand what is happening today, we first have to be able to understand what led us to this point. Prior to the 2003 invasion, al-Qaeda had virtually no presence in Iraq. Therefore, we can conclude that the invasion†¦show more content†¦For example, we have 40,000 troops stationed in Japan and 54,000 in Germany to respond to various threats that may arise in those theaters. With the Middle East being a much more volatile region than Europe or even eastern Asia, U.S. military commanders recommended keeping 20,000 troops in Iraq. But according to Fred Kagan, a military historian and former adviser to both former President George W. Bush and military commander General David Petraeus, Obama rejected that idea (usatoday.com 2014). What makes the new violence so dangerous is that it is very much like a civil war. We no longer are seeing Muslim terrorists fighting back against American and Coalition troops, but we are seeing Muslims against Muslims. The conflict between Sunni and Shiite Islam has been ongoing for centuries. The majority of Iraq is Shiite. Saddam was a Sunni, who did persecute his opponents, many of whom were either Kurds or Shiites. Prime Minister al-Maliki’s persecution of his Sunni opponents is widely being blamed for al-Qaeda’s resurgence (washingtontimes.com 2013). He had his Sunni vice president, Tariq al-Hashemi, arrested and sentenced to death for operating death squads (washingtontimes.com 2013). Al-H ashemi has since fled Iraq.Show MoreRelatedMilitary Is A Powerful Defense System Vital For A Governed Nations Democracy1525 Words   |  7 Pagescivilian official certain powers, in conjunction with Congress to declare war or initiate an engagement. War, defined as a declared state of conflict between societies; distinguishable from engagements that consist of a military force sent out to combat another force. With the end goal of preventing the military from running the government and civilians having ultimate control was due to oppressive British ruling during the Revolutionary War. In Alexander Hamilton’s Federalist 26 and Federalist 29Read MoreU.s. Troops From Afghanistan2839 Words   |  12 Pages Exiting Afghanistan Austin Schmidt American Government Mr. Pankow November 18, 2014 Over the years there s been a lot of controversy over the fact that U.S. troops are currently residing in Afghanistan and have been there since 2001. Many are wondering why we re still there and why haven t we left yet. Others want to know the positive outcomes of the roughly thirteen years that our troops have been there. Are we doing the right thing by being there? Background information aboutRead MoreThe Geopolitics Of Us Iranian Relations3204 Words   |  13 Pages AMERICAN MILITARY UNIVERSITY THE GEOPOLITICS OF US-IRANIAN RELATIONS BY NELSON SHAWVER INTL500 – WEEK 8 ASSIGNMENT: RESEARCH PAPER 31 AUGUST 2014 The Geopolitics of US-Iranian Relations American Military University â€Å"It is imperative for other states to accept the reality of Iran’s prominent role in the Middle East and beyond and to recognize and respect Iran’s legitimate national rights, interests, and security concerns.† Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (2014)Read MoreTerrorism in Southeast Asia17760 Words   |  72 PagesAsia has been a base for terrorist operations. Al Qaeda penetrated the region by establishing local cells, training Southeast Asians in its camps in Afghanistan, and by financing and cooperating with indigenous radical Islamist groups. Indonesia and the southern Philippines have been particularly vulnerable to penetration by Islamic terrorist groups. Members of one indigenous network, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), which has had extensive ties to Al Qaeda, helped two of the September 11, 2001 hijackersRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pages10.5/12 ITC New Baskerville Std Credits and acknowledgments borrowed from other sources and reproduced, with permission, in this textbook appear on the appropriate page within text. Copyright  © 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America. This publication is protected by Copyright, and permission should be obtained from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval