Barack Obama meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki, July 21, 2008

Presumptive Democratic Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama visited Iraq on July 21, 2008, as part of an official congressional delegation.  During his visit he meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki (pictured above) and with General David H. Petraeus, the top American military commander in Iraq.

The Iraqi government on Monday left little doubt that it favors a withdrawal plan for American combat troops similar to what Senator Barack Obama has proposed, providing Mr. Obama with a potentially powerful political boost on a day he spent in Iraq working to fortify his credibility as a wartime leader.

Barack Obama in Iraq, July 21, 2008
Barack Obama with Iraqi Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi

Barack Obama in Iraq, July 21, 2008
Barack Obama with Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh (center) and Iraq’s National Security Advisor Muafaq al-Rubaye (R)

After a day spent meeting Iraqi leaders and American military commanders, Mr. Obama seemed to have navigated one of the riskiest parts of a weeklong international trip without a noticeable hitch and to have gained a new opportunity to blunt attacks on his national security credentials by his Republican rival in the presidential race, Senator John McCain.

Whether by chance or by design, the government of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki of Iraq chose a day when Mr. Obama was in the country to provide its clearest statement yet about its views on the withdrawal of American troops. After a weekend of dispute about precisely what Mr. Maliki was suggesting, his spokesman, Ali al-Dabbagh, told reporters in Baghdad, “We cannot give any timetables or dates, but the Iraqi government believes the end of 2010 is the appropriate time for the withdrawal.”

Barack Obama with General David H. Petraeus in Iraq, July 21, 2008

Barack Obama with General David H. Petraeus

Mr. Obama has said he would seek to withdraw American combat forces over 16 months if he is elected president, starting upon taking office in January, meaning his plan would be completed on roughly the same timetable as suggested by the Iraqis. The Bush administration has signaled a willingness to work with the Iraqis on their desire to begin setting at least a general “time horizon” for reducing the American military presence, leaving Mr. McCain at risk of becoming isolated in his position of firm opposition to a withdrawal timetable.

Barack Obama with General David H. Petraeus in Iraq, July 21, 2008
Barack Obama with General David H. Petraeus

The central tenet of Mr. Obama’s foreign policy is suddenly aligned with what the Iraqis themselves now increasingly seem to want. Not only have the developments offered Mr. Obama a measure of credibility as a prospective world leader in a week when his every move is receiving intensive attention at home and abroad, but it has complicated Mr. McCain’s leading argument against him: that a withdrawal timeline would be tantamount to surrender and would leave Iraqis in dangerous straits.

Source: News Analysis - For Obama, a First Step Is Not a Misstep

See also: Analysis - Obama Makes War Gains

Photo credit: Photos 1-3 Reuters/Thaier al-Sudani; Photo 4 Reuters/Multi-National Forces Iraq Public Affairs/Handout; Photo 5 Reuters Lorie Jewell/Multi-National Forces Iraq Public Affairs/Handout

Here is MSNBC’s “Verdict with Dan Abrams” report on Barack Obama in Iraq



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Video & Photos: Barack Obama in Iraq 7-21-08