Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Report: Obama To Cut Iraq Troop Level to 3,000, Generals Mad!
By
John Del Signore
Published Sep 6, 2011
Modified Sep 6, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Sep 6, 2011
Modified Sep 6, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Anonymous sources tell Fox News that President Obama has decided to draw down American troops in Iraq to 3,000 soldiers at the end of the year, and senior commanders are reportedly pissed. Unidentified generals had wanted at least 27,000 soldiers to stick around and compete to be the last to die for a mistake, but Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is reportedly complying with the administration's order. And it makes sense; now that all the weapons of mass destruction have been found and the liberated Iraqis are drunk on unlimited democracy, whiskey, sexy, what more is there for our brave men and women to do? For one thing, military brass says they should stick around Iraq... in order to keep each other safe in Iraq.
"We can't secure everybody with only 3,000 on the ground nor can we do what we need to with the Iraqis," one source tells Fox. Asked for comment, Senator Joe Lieberman said the number is news to him, and that in all the discussions he's had on force strength, he's "never heard a number as low as 3,000 troops to secure the gains Iraqis have won over the years." Such gains! There are currently approximately 47,000 troops stationed in Iraq, and there hasn't been a horrific suicide bomb explosion in almost a week.
The Obama administration has yet to confirm or deny the Fox News report, but give Obama time... to thoughtfully consider all the Republican feedback and work out a compromise to double the current number of troops in Iraq exchange for a pony (which Boehner promises to buy Barry the very next time he goes out to pick up a pack of smokes).
Tagged
cheese eating surrender monkeys
iraq
judith miller
obama
Politics
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NJ reports first West Nile Virus death of the year
While the national West Nile Virus trend has slowed down, activity in the Garden State has picked up.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 4, 2026 at 11:03 a.m. ET
NY's prison system is in crisis. It's driving staff away from the job.
The state is currently struggling with a 56% vacancy rate among prison workers.
By
Emily Russell
News
NY's prison system is in crisis. It's driving staff away from the job.
The state is currently struggling with a 56% vacancy rate among prison workers.
By
Emily Russell
NYPD searching for suspect after fatal stabbing in Queens
By
Ben Feuerherd
NYPD: 2 suspects in off-duty officer stabbing tried to rob victim
By
Jill Webb
Astoria-born Chip City announces sudden closure days after former CEO sues
By
Catalina Gonella
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .