Middle-East

Obama To Continue Iraq Occupation

Published

March 4, 2009

Omar Usman

Barack Obama won the votes of many Americans by promising to swiftly end the Iraq War and bring U.S. troops home. He denounced George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq as a “violation of international law.”

So will U.S. troops leave Iraq? Will those responsible for this trumped-up war face justice?

No, on both counts. [Toronto Sun]

The best analysis of this, of course, comes from the Daily Show [warning: there is an ad at the beginning and some music, etc. but I have pasted it here because his coverage of this issue was excellent]:

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The article quoted above also gives this troubling information,

In short, contrary to all Obama’s high-blown rhetoric about pulling out of Iraq, Washington clearly intends it will remain a U.S. military, political and economic protectorate. Washington is following exactly the same control model the British Empire used to rule Iraq, and exploit its oil: Install a figurehead ruler, keep him in power using a “native” army (read today’s Iraqis army and police). RAF units based in Iraq (read U.S. air bases) bomb any rebellious areas. Smaller British ground units based in non-urban areas are on call to put down attempted coups against the king. The U.S. plan for Iraq is identical.

Obama made clear that officials responsible for the Iraq war, torture, kidnapping or assassination will not be prosecuted. The theft of over $50 billion in U.S. “reconstruction” funds sent to Iraq is being hushed up.

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One of the saddest parts of the video above is the interview with Robert Gates. Previously, these types of statements were spread by ‘conspiracy theorists’ to prove the government was trying to cover up acts of war and things of that nature – but now it is just being stated openly. Even worse, I think the average public buys these statements and really believes them.

Allah knows best how many more innocent lives will be lost in this imperialistic war.

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Related Topics:daily show Iraq Muslim obama

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Omar Usman

Omar Usman is a founding member of MuslimMatters and Qalam Institute. He teaches Islamic seminars across the US including Khateeb Workshop and Fiqh of Social Media. He has served in varying administrative capacities for multiple national and local Islamic organizations. You can follow his work at ibnabeeomar.com.

33 Comments

mofw

March 4, 2009 at 3:38 PM

What a surprise!

Reply
Hassan

March 4, 2009 at 3:41 PM

Increasing troops in Afghanistan to kill more people there (and Pakistan).

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Hassan

March 4, 2009 at 3:42 PM

Also continuing outsourcing torture like Bush

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mofw

March 4, 2009 at 3:45 PM

I wonder what McCain would have done. To be honest I really believe McCain would have been the better candidate. The two are pretty identical except that McCain didn’t lie about his intentions on Iraq, or on things like extraordinary renditions. I suggest all those who voted for Obama apologize to Ralph Nader and Cynthia McKinney.

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mofw

March 4, 2009 at 5:19 PM

Hassan, you voted for him didn’t you.

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Faisal

March 4, 2009 at 10:18 PM

Actuallly an Afganistani advisor to Canadian Foreign Minister told me during a presentation that he would prefer McCain and not Obama as the president (before the elections).

Anyway, the link does not work for people in Canada.. but heres the alternative.

http://watch.thecomedynetwork.ca/#clip145166

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MR

March 5, 2009 at 12:24 AM

What did ya’ll expect man! Obama ain’t Osama! :-D

Obama is here to please America not Muslims. LOL.

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Khan Hasan

March 5, 2009 at 12:34 AM

No way!! Obama?? Torture?
‘Yes we Can.. Torture, Bomb, Spy, Imprison’

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Hassan

March 5, 2009 at 12:53 AM

mofw said:

Hassan, you voted for him didn’t you.

Last time I voted for anything was ISGH elections, for some reason they let me that year. And that was 4 years ago.

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S

March 5, 2009 at 3:17 AM

What MR said.

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Ammar

March 5, 2009 at 3:44 AM

So much for all those trumpeting (even here on MM) how Obama was going to bring about meaningful change.

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AnonyMuslim

March 5, 2009 at 2:09 PM

Even though I find Stewart to be too far Left for my personal politics, gotta love his political satire, it’s funny and thought-provoking at the same time. As for the despondent Obama-supporters. If you think “meaningful” change is something that occurs during the first 100 days in office after 8 years of a 180 degree different policy, you know nothing about politics. Coalitions must be built, national security must be taken into account, steps must be taken to achieve the ultimate goals, which remains total withdrawal from Iraq. Don’t import the “we must have change overnight” impatience from our parents’ native lands, these things take time and consistent effort.

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- Amad
  
  March 5, 2009 at 2:24 PM
  
  I agree, AnonyMuslim. I have mentioned this before. Our patience is quite thin on these matters. For one, considering the 8 years as you mentioned to counteract, and secondly, what have Muslims done in America to deserve attention? We still can’t decide on basic politics, let alone lobbying for change. Instead of working towards formulating that plan to become a force to reckon with, in American politics, we point to the failures of the new admin as proof that our “work” is not getting us anywhere. Let’s do the work first :)
  
  That doesn’t mean we ignore the promises that Obama is not fulfilling, but criticism is positive, and not a sign of regret for participation. The civil rights organizations such as ACLU are far more deserving of outrage (as they are showing) and far more deserving of being heard. But are they telling their members to quit? No. Instead, they are protesting, as we should, and “fighting” for good.
  
  Btw, for mofw’s benefit, I voted for McKinney, but if Obama was in trouble in my state, I would have voted for him :) So, I have it down both ways!
  
  Reply
MR

March 5, 2009 at 3:05 PM

@Ammar who said:

So much for all those trumpeting (even here on MM) how Obama was going to bring about meaningful change.

Meaningful change has come within America not external foreign affairs. Do you read anything in the news? The entire economy is in desperate need after Bush let the crooks take what they want. It’s pretty hard to fix this in less than a year. But if you read all this economic policies and the government spending bill, it’s much better Bush.

Obama didn’t get elected just for his foreign policies.

Obama is more concerned with fixing America than fixing Iraq or Afghanistan or anywhere around the world and that goes the same for most of Americans.

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MR

March 5, 2009 at 3:08 PM

Also, once America leaves Iraq, the Shia will most likely take over, since they have the upperhand via Iran and the Sunnis will either A) Flee B) Fight & Die or C) Die.

Iraq will be split up into new countries with a Sunni-Arab Dominated country, a Shia dominated one and a Kurdish dominated one.

The Sunni-Arab one will turn into Syria or Jordan-like state. The Shia one will just become part of Iran. Kurdistan will become like the rest of the ‘stans.

So even IF America leaves, no problems well be solved, because we Muslims. We just love to fight each other based on tribal and cultural differences.

:-D

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Miako

March 6, 2009 at 6:10 PM

mofw,
we would be at war with iran right now. that was mccain’s way to get us out of the worldwide depression –more war.

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Amatullah

March 7, 2009 at 12:42 PM

ASA, brother you could try some video editing software, InshAllah. JazakAllahu Khair,

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ibnabeeomar

March 7, 2009 at 1:45 PM

“Our patience is quite thin on these matters. For one, considering the 8 years as you mentioned to counteract, and secondly, what have Muslims done in America to deserve attention? We still can’t decide on basic politics, let alone lobbying for change. Instead of working towards formulating that plan to become a force to reckon with, in American politics, we point to the failures of the new admin as proof that our “work” is not getting us anywhere. Let’s do the work first ”

the issue is, whether this is where all that *work* should be focused, or if its more needed in other arenas.

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- Amad
  
  March 7, 2009 at 4:21 PM
  
  the issue is, whether this is where all that *work* should be focused, or if its more needed in other arenas.
  
  if we don’t stop the sweeping Islamophobia, you may not have the opportunity/right to focus on the other “works” without undue hardships and scrutiny.
  
  Reply
J

March 8, 2009 at 1:23 AM

As-Salam Alaykum.

I just want to say that the American Muslims were stupid for voting for Obama. I am not one of those hawks who says that Muslims must make hijrah, or even that voting is haram. Rather, I believe that voting is permissible and that American Muslims SHOULD get involved. Those of you who have seen me post on MM know that I am a “moderate Muslim” who dislikes extremists.

So although I think American Muslims SHOULD vote, I just don’t think we should have voted for Obama. We should all have voted as a block for Dr. Ron Paul.

Voting between McCain and Obama when it comes to foreign policy was simply choosing between Coke and Pepsi–very little difference.

Fi Aman Allah

Reply
J

March 8, 2009 at 1:31 AM

As-Salam Alaykum, brother MR.

You said:

Also, once America leaves Iraq, the Shia will most likely take over, since they have the upperhand via Iran and the Sunnis will either A) Flee B) Fight & Die or C) Die.

Iraq will be split up into new countries with a Sunni-Arab Dominated country, a Shia dominated one and a Kurdish dominated one.

The Sunni-Arab one will turn into Syria or Jordan-like state. The Shia one will just become part of Iran. Kurdistan will become like the rest of the ’stans.

So even IF America leaves, no problems well be solved, because we Muslims. We just love to fight each other based on tribal and cultural differences.

I think this is putting too much blame on the victims of the imperialistic machinations of the Western nation-states. If you study history, you will know that there was never any such country as Iraq. Rather, these were imaginary lines, drawn up by the colonial West to check the power of Iran. And so, due to this colonial desire, they put Sunni Arabs, Kurds, and Shi’ite mushrikeen in the same cage, so to speak.

I think we should have some pride in ourselves, and know that the Muslims were functionally united and strong before the colonial enterprise in our lands. I think people don’t realize how recent it was that we were knocking on Vienna’s doors. The colonialists imposed borders on us on purpose and used divide and conquer to shatter our unity, so now how can we separate our lack of unity and the colonial enterprise?!

Yes, you are right that Iraq won’t go back to normal right when America withdraws. That is like saying that a rape victim would go back to normal right after the penetration is stopped. No. It will take many years for the rape victim to recover. Likewise, it will take many long years–decades and decades–for the Muslim world to fix itself, and THAT will only happen if America and the West completely withdraw to their own borders instead of interfering in our affairs.

In any case, the Muslim world will–with Allah’s Help alone–fix itself, and the West should only stop its interference for its own good, lest they establish a proof against their souls.

Fi Aman Allah

Reply
J

March 8, 2009 at 1:36 AM

Brother MR, you said:

Obama didn’t get elected just for his foreign policies.

Obama is more concerned with fixing America than fixing Iraq or Afghanistan or anywhere around the world and that goes the same for most of Americans.

As Dr. Ron Paul said, the two matters are connected. America spends trillions of dollars to fund its imperial war machine; if it withdraws that, then those trillions could be used to balance the budget. Or else America will end the same way as its father country did, i.e. Great Britain, which could not afford the high costs of ruling the world with its expensive military.

Fi Aman Allah

Reply
abu ameerah

March 8, 2009 at 7:37 PM

@ “J”

“That is like saying that a rape victim would go back to normal right after the penetration is stopped. No. It will take many years for the rape victim to recover.”

i am not one to comment on articles posted on MM … but i must say – that was the one of the coolest uses of a rape analogy in the history of analogies. furthermore, the use of the word “penetration” was like poetry to my ears. you sir are a genius … a true giant among men! Shakespeare you have met your match indeed…

my take on the rape analogy itself is that some victims go back to normal once a lawsuit is filed and an undisclosed monetary sum is put on the table Kobe Bryant style. perhaps all Eye-rack really needs is a large cash settlement after America pulls out (no pun intended … okay pun intended)?

Reply
- Amad
  
  March 8, 2009 at 9:13 PM
  
  ya Abu Ameerah, where have you been? We missed you akhi, and your sprinklings of humor, even if to chide us. Good to hear from you.
  
  Reply
Anas Hlayhel

March 9, 2009 at 3:17 AM

it seems that this forum needs more moderation from knowledgeable brothers! For example, this supposed moderate Muslim who defines extremism according to his Hawa. The Quran and Sunnah define extremism really well. So, we shouldn’t let others define extremism for us, and we shouldn’t be influenced by their definitions. I may not agree with the opinion that says Hijra is Wajib or that voting is Haram, but those opinions have their proofs and should not be labeled as extremism. Some people may think because it’s a blog or a chat that their words are not recorded by the angels and that they’re not going to be responsible in front of Allah for what they say! My advice, instead of hours in front of the monitor, spend some of that time reading the Quran, the Word of God, looking for solutions! Imam Shafi’ee says that there is not a single problem that occurs to people except that there is a solution for it in the Book of Allah. So have we approached the Quran with this mentality? Or do we just read it to get some blessings, rock our bodies back and forth, and then we’re done?
Even the politics discussed by some here seem to be so immature! After all we have seen to what has happened to our Sunni brothers in Iraq, we still don’t get it?? If U.S. wanted to do anything about Iran, they would have done it long time ago! Think about it, eventhough Iraq was so exhausted from a 10 year blockade, it was decided to make it even weaker by an all out invasion, while keeping its neighbor Iran become stronger and stronger. You think it’s a concidence? This is similar to the other joke that Hizbullah is fighting Israel!! Subhaana Allah, there is a hadith that mentions the blockade on Iraq then on Sham (which Gaza is part of) that will take place at the end of time. We can’t say for sure, but what’s happening right now seems very similar to what’s mentioned in the hadith and Allah knows best!!

Reply
J

March 9, 2009 at 4:22 AM

For example, this supposed moderate Muslim who defines extremism according to his Hawa. The Quran and Sunnah define extremism really well. So, we shouldn’t let others define extremism for us, and we shouldn’t be influenced by their definitions. I may not agree with the opinion that says Hijra is Wajib or that voting is Haram, but those opinions have their proofs and should not be labeled as extremism

Please learn to read, brother. I never said that anyone who holds these views is an extremist. Neither do I think that. The only reason I said “I am not an extremist” is because the extremists flock to MM for some odd reason, and then they bash MM and scholars like Yasir Qadhi. So I wanted to make it clear I was not one of them. Rather, I am a supporter and well-wisher of MM. THAT was my intention, brother. So perhaps you should have thought twice before you spoke.

Nowhere did I say that the one who holds voting to be haram to be an extremist; nowhere did I say that those who believe hijrah to be mandatory are extremists. There are many moderate scholars who hold this view, and I respect their view. In fact, it seems that the majority of scholars I respect do in fact hold such positions, so how in the world could I equate it with extremism!?

Yes, the extremists do hold these views, but so do many moderates.

As for who an extremist is, yes that is most definitely defined by the Quran and Sunnah. Those who believe in killing non-combatants are extremists, who support groups who do that (such as Al-Qaeda), etc., which includes the filth who flock to this site (MM) from their extremist forum.

-Edited. Br. Anas is from our respected people of knowledge. Please consider your words carefully. -editor

Reply
J

March 9, 2009 at 4:28 AM

Brother Anas, do you believe that Al-Qaeda is an extremist group? Yes or no?

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abu abdAllah Tariq Ahmed

March 12, 2009 at 5:09 PM

bismillah. how pathetic is American Journalism that the Daily Show sets a high standard for political commentary? how much less noble Congress that Stewart asks tougher questions?

do you want to be one of the loyalists who stand by Obama when he makes tough decisions? how well did America do when the majority stood by George Bush? the time to tell Obama that he has to make serious change is now. not ranting at him — those who hate him will always hate him more than they love America. witness the hatemongering of Rush Limbaugh — he sincerely wants Obama to fail, and Limbaugh would just as soon see America burn as Obama get re-elected. Limbaugh makes the media-image of Osama seem like a care bear.

so do not give Obama your hate, but give him sincere and strong naseeha — don’t turn him into another W by rushing to offer him excuse after excuse. “W” — even calling him by that name probably gave Bush the false belief that W stood for Winner and not Wuss.

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Celebrity Scholars.. What think you?

March 14, 2009 at 1:43 PM

Dear friends,

I wrote some bad stuff earlier this week on this post. The moderators didn’t like my tone, and hence this message is replacing what I wrote earlier. In the future, I will write criticism of our scholars ideas and disagree in a manner and fashion becoming of a Muslim, not a lunatic.

Thanks again for your patience.

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whybothertovote

March 17, 2009 at 7:42 PM

Obama only got elected because he shared many of the same views as McCain. He is not going to be good for anyone, certainly not muslims and even not Black people. He is still half white and he is still a neoconservative democrat.

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Abu-Dharaar

March 18, 2009 at 12:41 PM

Dear friends,

I wrote some bad stuff today. The moderators didn’t like my tone, and hence this message is replacing what I wrote earlier. In the future, I will write criticism of our scholars ideas and disagree in a manner and fashion becoming of a Muslim, not a lunatic.

Thanks again for your patience.

Reply
Suria

March 26, 2009 at 3:18 AM

Watch Obama Deception : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw

There is no such thing as Democrate or Republican . All the American Presidents are working for the Elite Banking Group(FED) and not for the American people. Mc Cain would do the same as Obama because he too must listen to the Elite. Except for Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy who were assassinated because they refuse to be the puppet of the Elite and who genuinely wanted to do good for the people. Watch the video…very important.

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Angie

May 6, 2009 at 9:43 PM

surprise surprise.

Reply