No Return to Iraq?

The U.S. Army General who led U.S. forces through some of the most deadly years of the Iraq war says he opposes sending U.S. combat troops in response to the recent gains in that country by Islamic militants. General Ray Odierno, the current Army Chief of Staff, said Tuesday he is disappointed by the Iraqi government’s loss of control in key cities in the restive western province of Anbar. Speaking at the National Press Club in Washington, he said the proper U.S. approach now is to remain engaged diplomatically to help Iraqi government leaders get their political system back on track. Odierno said that despite Iraq’s recent setbacks, it still has the potential to become a strong U.S. partner, though that hopeful prospect now appears “a bit shaky.”