2008 Woodie Awards
Iraq war casualties rise
Nathan St. Clair
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: News
The death toll in Iraq increases as the presidential candidates debate the situation and proper measures to take.
Around 4,178 members of the military have died in Iraq since it started in March 2003, 3,382 of the deaths were caused by hostile action according to the Associated Press.
The number of dead Iraqi civilians is unclear.
The sources that keep track of such casualties vary so much on the count that it is hard to nail down the numbers exactly, but they are very high.
Democrat candidate Barack Obama has openly stated that if he is elected he will implement a withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
His plan calls for the troops to be extracted by 2010, leaving only enough troops to further squelch terrorist cells and protect United States diplomats.
Also, Obama would give $2 billion dollars to the help in recovery efforts in Iraq.
John McCain is not opposed to withdrawing, but thinks that a timetable is not a realistic approach to the situation.
McCain advocates a withdraw only when U.S. interests in the country are secure and the threats are subdued.
The rate of deaths in the Iraq war has decreased, as the war barrels through its fifth year.
However, as the casualties on both sides continue, coalition forces are beginning to see positive, but subtle, changes in Iraq.
The 2007 surge, which was ordered by President George W. Bush, under the working name "The New Way Forward," is showing signs of promise.
In 2007, Bush requested 20,000 additional troops to be sent to Iraq, which totaled five brigades, and 4,000 marines to extend their tours.
"Today, the effects of the new strategy are obvious," said Senator John McCain. "The surge has succeeded, and we are, at long last, finally winning this war."
The additional U.S. military personnel were ordered to occupy Baghdad and the surrounding area.
The surge may be working, but the cost for the war is still staggering, especially in light of worst financial crisis US history.
As of Sept. 2008, $558.5 billion has been spent funding the war in Iraq.
On a monthly basis the US spends around $12 billion to support the war.
However, the war is showing signs of a slow down.
Around 8,000 troops are scheduled to leave in the next several weeks.
At this time no total withdrawal is in the works, however, the 2008 presidential candidates continue to weigh in on the issue of a possible end and how they would control the situation.
Around 4,178 members of the military have died in Iraq since it started in March 2003, 3,382 of the deaths were caused by hostile action according to the Associated Press.
The number of dead Iraqi civilians is unclear.
The sources that keep track of such casualties vary so much on the count that it is hard to nail down the numbers exactly, but they are very high.
Democrat candidate Barack Obama has openly stated that if he is elected he will implement a withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
His plan calls for the troops to be extracted by 2010, leaving only enough troops to further squelch terrorist cells and protect United States diplomats.
Also, Obama would give $2 billion dollars to the help in recovery efforts in Iraq.
John McCain is not opposed to withdrawing, but thinks that a timetable is not a realistic approach to the situation.
McCain advocates a withdraw only when U.S. interests in the country are secure and the threats are subdued.
The rate of deaths in the Iraq war has decreased, as the war barrels through its fifth year.
However, as the casualties on both sides continue, coalition forces are beginning to see positive, but subtle, changes in Iraq.
The 2007 surge, which was ordered by President George W. Bush, under the working name "The New Way Forward," is showing signs of promise.
In 2007, Bush requested 20,000 additional troops to be sent to Iraq, which totaled five brigades, and 4,000 marines to extend their tours.
"Today, the effects of the new strategy are obvious," said Senator John McCain. "The surge has succeeded, and we are, at long last, finally winning this war."
The additional U.S. military personnel were ordered to occupy Baghdad and the surrounding area.
The surge may be working, but the cost for the war is still staggering, especially in light of worst financial crisis US history.
As of Sept. 2008, $558.5 billion has been spent funding the war in Iraq.
On a monthly basis the US spends around $12 billion to support the war.
However, the war is showing signs of a slow down.
Around 8,000 troops are scheduled to leave in the next several weeks.
At this time no total withdrawal is in the works, however, the 2008 presidential candidates continue to weigh in on the issue of a possible end and how they would control the situation.
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