An Exit Strategy of Concrete and Steel

Are we building permanent bases in Iraq? Gary Hart wonders.

Any attempt to find out whether the US is, or is not, constructing permanent military bases meets with frustration. The few who have attempted to get a direct answer to this question are met with evasion and purposeful confusion over what is or is not "permanent". But this is the ultimate test of true Bush administration intentions in Iraq. If we are, in fact, constructing permanent bases, "leaving" simply means a reduction of forces and the permanent stationing of US brigades in Iraq.

Over Christmas I sat down with my aunt and talked about my cousin, who was just re-deployed to Iraq. I asked what he was going to be doing there. She said "building permanent bases." I said "they're building permanent bases there? I didn't know that." She said "yeah, it's not something that is talked about very much, is it?"

So, Senator Hart - there's some anecdotal evidence for you.