The question remains: are the Americans really leaving Iraq? Or are they leaving from the door to come back in through the window? The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad is twice the size of the White House, covering an area of 104 acres. In addition to the mammoth complex, there are 10 more facilities across the country, including three U.S. diplomatic missions in Irbil, Kirkuk and Basra. Between 15,000-16,000 U.S. personnel will be remaining in Iraq, at least 10,000 of whom have security duties. Americans are also involved in all sectors of the Iraqi economy, running programs worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Commentary/2011/Dec-21/157479-a-us-withdrawal-that-isnt-quite-one.ashx#ixzz1iQgFY1Eo
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)