U.S. Not Really Leaving Iraq

BAGHDAD — The words of President Obama that the war on Iraq is over is not really true, since thousands of U.S. armed private contractors will be based in the country. After the troop pullout, the Office of Security Cooperation will exist under the auspices of the U.S. embassy.

The State Department will be providing the largest embassy in existence, employing about 18,000 people. The breakdown includes a few diplomats, civil service workers, and non-Iraqi contractors to do laundry, cleaning, mail services, and similar duties. However, there will be a big component of armed private security contractors, estimated at around 5,500.

The United States government is remaining hush about what the duties of these security contractors will be, but it is suspected that their mission will be to assure that ties with Iran are cut.