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Opposed the authorization to use U.S. military force against Iraq while an Illinois State Senator
But I also know that Saddam poses no imminent and direct threat to the United States, or to his neighbors, that the Iraqi economy is in shambles, that the Iraqi military a fraction of its former strength, and that in concert with the international community he can be contained until, in the way of all petty dictators, he falls away into the dustbin of history. I know that even a successful war against Iraq will require a US occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences. I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of Al Qaeda. I am not opposed to all wars. I'm opposed to dumb wars.
-Barack Obama, Remarks of Illinois State Sen. Barack Obama Against Going to War with Iraq, October 2, 2002
Supports a 16 month phased redeployment of troops from Iraq, but could adjust timeline
If there are still large troop presences in [Iraq] when I take office, then the first thing I will do is call together the Joint Chiefs of Staff and initiate a phased redeployment. We've got to be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in. But military personnel indicate we can get one brigade to two brigades out per month. I would immediately begin that process. We would get combat troops out of Iraq. The only troops that would remain would be those that have to protect U.S. bases and U.S. civilians, as well as to engage in counterterrorism activities in Iraq.
-Barack Obama, Democratic Presidential Debate, September 26, 2007
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At that pace, the forces would be out in approximately 16 months from the time that we began.
-Barack Obama quoted by Michael Gordon and Jeff Zeleny, Interview with Barack Obama, The New York Times, November 1, 2007
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In response to a question about how much flexibility there would be to withdrawal plans, Obama said he still believed U.S. forces could be out of the country within about 16 months: "I've also consistently said that I will consult with military commanders on the ground and that we will always be open to the possibility of tactical adjustments. The important thing is to send a clear signal to the Iraqi people, and most importantly to the Iraqi leadership, that the U.S. occupation in Iraq is finite, it is gonna be coming to a foreseeable end."
-Withdrawal, Hotline On Call, June 16, 2008
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I’ve always said that the pace of withdrawal would be dictated by the safety and security of our troops and the need to maintain stability. That assessment has not changed…And when I go to Iraq and have a chance to talk to some of the commanders on the ground, I’m sure I’ll have more information and will continue to refine my policies.
-Barack Obama, quoted by Jeff Zeleny, Obama Might ‘Refine’ Iraq Timeline, TheNew York Times’ Caucus Blog, July 3, 2008
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I’ve also said that I would be deliberate and careful in how we got out, that I would bring our troops home at a pace of one to two brigades per month and that pace would have our combat troops out in 16 months. That position has not changed. I have not equivocated on that position, I am not searching for maneuvering room with respect to that position.
-Barack Obama, quoted by Jeff Zeleny, Obama Might ‘Refine’ Iraq Timeline, The New York Times’ Caucus Blog, July 3, 2008
Supports leaving a “strike force” in the region
Question: Senator Obama, quick question: 70 percent of Iraqis say they want the US to withdraw completely; why don’t you call for a total withdrawal?
Obama: Well, I do, except for our embassy. I call for amnesty and protecting our civilian contractors there…we do need to have a strike force in the region. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in Iraq; it could be in Kuwait or other places. But we do have to have some presence in order to not only protect them, but also potentially to protect their territorial integrity.
-Amy Goodman Questions Sen. Obama on Heeding Iraqis’ Call for Full US Withdrawal, Democracy Now, March 28, 2008
Opposes a ban on private military contractors in Iraq
Question: Would you call for a ban on the private military contractors like Blackwater?
Obama: Here’s the problem: we have 140,000 private contractors right there, so unless we want to replace all of or a big chunk of those with US troops, we can’t draw down the contractors faster than we can draw down our troops. So what I want to do is draw—I want them out in the same way that we make sure that we draw out our own combat troops.
Question: Not a ban?
Obama: Well, I don’t want to replace those contractors with more US troops, because we don’t have them, alright?
-Amy Goodman Questions Sen. Obama on Heeding Iraqis’ Call for Full US Withdrawal, Democracy Now, March 28, 2008
Opposes Permanent U.S. Bases in Iraq
Barack Obama is against permanent bases in Iraq. He will not seek them. He will not build them. We will not have permanent bases in Iraq if Barack Obama is President.
-Obama Campaign Statement, quoted by Gary Sargent, Obama Absolutely, Positively, And Completely Rules Out Permanent Bases In Iraq, TPM Election Central, Nov. 27, 2007
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