Brooks & SOFA.

This is coolbert:

As was noticed by the New York Times writer and pundit David Brooks:

"Before (Iraq) was close to ready, the Obama administration took off the training wheels by not seriously negotiating the NATO status of forces agreement that would have maintained some smaller American presence."

"The Obama administration didn't begin negotiations on the treaty until a few months before American troops would have to start their withdrawal. 'The administration  increased the demands.' 'the negotiations between Obama and Maliki fell apart, in no small measure because of lack of engagement by the White House.'" - - David Brooks, The New York Times.

General Amos, take note.

We are speaking of course about SOFA. Status of Forces Agreement.

"A status of forces agreement (SOFA) is an agreement between a host country and a foreign nation stationing military forces in that country. SOFAs are often included, along with other types of military agreements, as part of a comprehensive security arrangement. A SOFA does not constitute a security arrangement; it establishes the rights and privileges of foreign personnel present in a host country in support of the larger security arrangement. Under international law a status of forces agreement differs from military occupation."

In a nutshell, SOFA defines whether American military service personnel committing a crime OFF BASE are to be tried under American military law or under the law of the host nation.

Shariah law or a legal system based on shariah law not thought to be providing legal safeguards as  American military personnel accustomed to!

coolbert.