What happens to missing military and civilian personal when the US withdraws from Iraq?

Okay, I have been thumbing through the news and I check on the Iraq situation quite frequently. At present the US military is at a reduced capacity in an advisory and assistance role in operation called New Dawn. Moqtada Al Sadr, Shiite firebrand and ringleader of the Mahdi Army returned to stir the pot politically and is now back in Iran. His stay was only brief. The feuding Iraqi Parliament has reconvened, with a coalition, and a National-Unity government after months of bitter and bloody negotiations with embattled Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki remaining at the helm. Iraqi infrastructure is in disrepair and last year there was widespread energy protests over shortages of electricity. The violence has continued with scores being killed daily in attacks and bombings.

So, Iraq is as it was when the US and allies arrived. In the melancholy known as Iraq both now and when the US pulls out, what will become of those missing on both the military and civilian side of the US involvement there? An article shown in the Washington Post via the Associated Press, Search goes on for missing Americans in Iraq, brought this crucial element of the drama known as the Iraq War to my attention, as it should everyone else regardless about how we feel about the conflict personally or politically.

To heighten the grim nature of this predicament, if some forgot another person who vanished without a trace in another of America's military adventures in the region was downed Navy pilot Scott Speicher from the First Gulf War. His remains were only recently discovered in 2009. Then we have stories of those who went missing during other conflicts like the Korea and Vietnam War, some have never been recovered to this day. In the present another conflict is drawing down and what will happen to others who met fates of being abducted during times of heavy US involvement in Iraq?

One situation that brought this issue to my attention is a case involving a US Army Reservist, Ahmed Kousay al-Taie. He is an Iraq born interpreter, and US resident who went back to his country to help out. Like other service members of the past, he fell in love and ventured off post amid warnings by his superiors. We all know what the outcome was for that reckless act. He remains missing along with others, but he is last remaining US military member whose whereabouts are unknown. At present, there is a US Army unit called the Personnel Recovery Division that is tasked with the recovery of the missing as the US forces gear-up to leave entirely.

Search goes on for missing Americans in Iraq

The military said it is developing a plan to transfer the cases concerning American citizens to the U.S. State Department, which has promised to maintain a strong diplomatic presence after the troops leave. The other cases will be turned over to their respective countries.

It is getting dangerously close to zero hour, and when that happens how will the US State Department tackle this issue once the firepower is gone and they have to negotiate with an Iraqi Government that seems to be taking a stance of becoming distant from the US? Before, they could rely on armed troops, drones, gunships, and other fire power if needed to recover a hostage, secure the remains of fallen comrade or civilian, and other search and rescue efforts. That capability will be gone when the US departs, and will the Iraqi government cooperate with ours when the time comes? It would be another insult to those who participated in this conflict if this matter remains unresolved. So, will these people's whereabouts remain a mystery as the US leaves Iraq, and with time will they fade from memory completely?

They will continue to investigate until the missing are discovered. The US still sends Missions to investigate/recover remains whenever they get information that could lead to recovery. There are at least a dozen such missions every year in Vietnam and the surrounding areas.

US left POW's in Vietnam.

The Paris Peace talks agreement was for the US to pay 4 billion dollars for reparations negotiated by Henery Kissenger. Vietnam in good faith released half of the POWs held. Then the US reneged on the payment so Vietnam kept the other half. Nixon was having Watergate trouble at the time and the deal to Pay North Vietnam 4 billions was not widely know and Nixon under pressure from Watergate did not risk another polical battle over the Military POWs, just left them to rot.

Over the years sightings of LIVE American POWs have been recorded along with satellite images. This evidence has been given to President GW Bush, Sen McCain and many others in the Congress. All we ever had to do is keep our agreement from the Paris Peace Treaty and ALL POWs would have come home.

The US will leave it's soliders behind. The US would rather save 4 Billion and a political embarrassment than Honor the Men who serve this Nation.

Korea has the same type of stories.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

Originally posted by brokedown

Over the years sightings of LIVE American POWs have been recorded along with satellite images. This evidence has been given to President GW Bush, Sen McCain and many others in the Congress.

What is your source for this information ?

How does one distinguish an American POW from a satellite image ?

Thanks brokedown