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The article presents the author's opinion regarding the move of the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama to disengage the nation's military forces from Iraq by December 31, 2011. He considers the Status of Forces Agreement signed by the administration of former U.S. President George W. Bush and the Iraqi Government in 2008 as the obstacle in extending the U.S. military presence in Iraq. He regards the military adventure in Iraq as the most disgraceful in the U.S. history.

The article discusses the issue of U.S. continued military presence in Iraq. It presents the observation of Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff who visited Iraq on April 22, 2011 that called for an urgent decision on whether to keep residual force in Iraq after the 2011 deadline based on the U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). It discusses the implications of full withdrawal of U.S. troops amidst the Arab Spring and options for a continued military presence.

The article covers foreign policy issues as of August 2009. The author criticizes some governments that spend on print advertising to attract foreign investment and tourists. Contributor Daniel Atzmon declares in his article that if the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) was defeated in the referendum, U.S. troops would have to leave Iraq immediately, ruining the slow withdrawal plans of President Barack Obama. Contributor Ira Chernus comments on the response of the Obama administration to the call for an immediate peace plan for Israel and Palestine.

The article reflects on the similarities of the Iraq War with the British occupation of Iraq from 1914 to 1920. It says that both occupations involves continuous threat as it predicts that U.S. President Barack Obama will request for the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) extension after 2011. It adds that both occupations used imperialism for private interests including control of oil fields. The article stresses that sovereignty of Iraq does not only means troops withdrawal but giving the nation its right to develop and use its national resources.

The author focuses on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) negotiated by former U.S. President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in November 2008 which would provide legal authority for U.S. troops to stay in Iraq until 2011. The author cites the failure of al-Maliki to meet the deadline for the conditions for SOFA, including a national referendum that should be held before the end of July 2009. The author claims that al-Maliki is using the SOFA referendum to ensure his victory in the January 2010 elections.

The article focuses on the warning issued by U.S. military postal officials to spouses against using the Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office (APO/FPO) mail system for their resale businesses abroad. It was stated that the mail system is designed for personal use such as placing of order for products online. It says that the use of such mail system for resale business could breach Status of Forces agreements. Also noted is the prohibition to companies that sell and deliver books overseas for school fairs to utilize the military postal system.

The article looks at the restrictions imposed on U.S. soldiers and military spouses living overseas regarding the use of their Army Post Office (APO)/Fleet Post Office (FPO) addresses for home businesses. It cites that the practice could possibly violate overseas Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA). The Military Postal Service Agency (MPSA) is said to have been monitoring individuals using such addresses. The author points out that the restrictions pose a challenge to the Department of Defense (DoD) efforts to improve job opportunities for spouses.

The article looks at the restrictions imposed on U.S. soldiers and military spouses living overseas regarding the use of their Army Post Office (APO)/Fleet Post Office (FPO) addresses for home businesses. It cites that the practice could possibly violate overseas Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA). The Military Postal Service Agency (MPSA) is said to have been monitoring individuals using such addresses. The author points out that the restrictions pose a challenge to the Department of Defense (DoD) efforts to improve job opportunities for spouses.

The article offers an outlook for the policy of the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama on the Iraq war in 2009. The Senate is recommended to ratify the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) as a treaty. It is suggested to establish legislation requiring a plan and funding for integration and demobilization of the Sons of Iraq (SOI) and other Sunni security forces. Another suggestion is to establish legislation that will fund humanitarian assistance and resettlement inside and outside Iraq.

The article offers news world briefs. The Iraqi cabinet endorsed an agreement that calls for the complete removal of American forces from Iraq by 2011. Governments around the world including Great Britain are paying morbidly obese people to lose weight. Maritime pirates operating out of Somalia seized an oil supertanker in the Indian Ocean.

The author looks at the negotiations on the proposed status-of-forces agreement (SOFA) between the U.S. and Iraq. He says that if the Iraqi parliament has not passed the SOFA by November 25, 2008, the U.S. will have to start pressing hard for an extension of the United Nations (U.N.) mandate that authorizes its forces to remain in Iraq. U.S. officials fear that an extension would be more politically controversial than the SOFA and notes that it would require an approval of permanent U.S. Security Council members Russia and China.

The author reflects on the diplomatic complications raised by Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA), and their possible effects concerning U.S. relations with Iraq. The proposed SOFA between Iraq and the U.S. is discussed which would include U.S. rights to military bases, the right to detain terror suspects, and control of Iraqi airspace. The effect of the U.S. SOFA in Iran during the 1960s and 1970s is also explored.

The author offers his opinion about a long-term status-of-forces agreement signed between U.S. President George W. Bush and the Iraqi government in November 2007. He mentions the opinion of several officials on whether the deal is a formal treaty or a routine agreement. He argues that any deal involving a long-term commitment of U.S. forces to the Iraqi government cannot be considered routine. He points out that such kind of deal needs the participation of the Congress.

The article presents an update on the armed forces as of January 8, 2007. A study by Duke University of North Carolina found that between 4.3 million and 6.5 million people know someone killed or wounded in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Kyrgyzstan President Kurmanbek Bakiyev plans to renegotiate a status-of-forces agreement with the U.S. to prevent U.S. troops from having diplomatic immunity. Scottish troops are being forced to share kilts due to delay of a contract for new ones.

The article looks at the state of the U.S. foreign military exchange program. A federal law designed to protect U.S. service members is getting in the way with the Army's foreign military exchange program with many key nations. The law is forcing defense officials to rely on work-arounds to maintain relationships abroad.

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of overseas settlement by retired U.S. military personnel. Information on status of forces agreements; Suggestions for such personnel living in Japan; Tips for overseas retirees.

Examines the Status of Agreements (SOFA) between the United States and other countries in relation to the indictment of United States (U.S.) Air Force officer Timothy B. Woodland for raping a girl in Okinawa, Japan. Influence of SOFA on the offenses made by service members in a host country; Policy of the U.S. Department of Defense on offenses of service members in other countries; Details of the SOFA between the Japanese and the U.S. government.

Focuses on Ukrainian parliament's ratification of accords with the Russian government on the status of the Black Sea Fleet. Agreement on settling mutual accounts; Presence of foreign naval facilities in Sevastopol, Ukraine.

Looks at the outrage in Japan stemming from the alleged rape of a schoolgirl in Okinawa by three American servicemen. Demands that the legal status of American troops in Japan be changed; Actions by the governor of Okinawa.

Reports that Japan and South Korea are calling for changes on the Status of Forces Agreements regulating conduct of American soldiers abroad in t the wake of military-related crimes in the two Asian nations. Agreement reached by the United States with South Korea and Japan.

Reports that United States Ambassador Walter Mondale agreed to let legal experts review the special status granted to American military personnel in Japan, following an outcry over the rape of a schoolgirl in Okinawa Island, Japan. Statements of outrage and regret from American officials in Japan; Call for the withdrawal of American forces from Okinawa Island.

Reports that under most of the Status of Forces Agreements that regulate conduct of United States forces abroad, service people accused of crimes normally remain in the custody of US military police throughout local trial and appeal proceedings. Negative implication of the crimes committed by US servicemen in Japan and South Korea in generating clamor for the amendment of some countries' military agreements with the US.

Reports that the Japanese are outraged over the rape incident in Okinawa, Japan in which three US servicemen are implicated. Number of US troops in Japan; How the rape incident happened; Call for a review of the US-Japan military agreement called the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).

The article reflects on the effect of the trial of soldiers in a foreign land. According to the status-of-forces agreement, soldiers in a foreign land should be tried by their own commands and it is their nation's responsibility to protect the accused who are forced to serve other countries. Such an agreement was not used in the case of U.S. Army William S. Girard who was brought before a court in Japan. The U.S. government's failure to stand by the agreement is also questioned.

Comments on the jurisdictional disputes surrounding the U.S. military detention of Sergeant William Girard, who fired an empty shell from a grenade launcher on May 16, 1957 towards a group of Japanese scavengers that hit and killed Naka Sakai. Provisions of the Status of Forces Treaty regarding the trial of American soldiers; Argument advanced by the Japanese government on the case; Critique of the Status of Forces Treaty.