Yes, we understand what is CLAIMED. Forgive us if we don't TRUST what is claimed.
First - comparing current Iraq to post WWII Germany is assinine to the eleventh power. The troops left in place could be accurately called non-combat because Germany officially surrendered. Their troop laid down their arms, and their populace did nothing in the way of underground activities. The war (conflict, what ever the hell you want to call it) was OVER! Tell me, WHO SURRENDERED THIS TIME?!? Adding our continued presence, which was stimulated by the Cold War, and done so under treaty with Germany and NATO, is such pure unadulterated bullshit as to be beyond comprehension. Our bases in Germany are part of a mutual protection treaty, NOT an occupation of an unfriendly country.
Second, when the forces remaining in place include high-mobile combat units renamed "advisers" are way too reminiscent of how we handled the Vietnam War to make me just take Bammy at his word.
The official designation of U.S. troops in Vietnam was "military advisers" through the entire conflict, right up to and including our withdrawal. I was there for 3 tours of duty. Care to guess how many operations I was involved with that actually included anyone to "advise"? The fact is we conducted combat operations no matter what the damned politicians, bureaucrats and diplomats chose to call them. The term "military advisers" has always been diplomatese for combatants whose real mission cannot be officially acknowledged for political reasons. Why should we believe it to be different this time? Because it's OBAMA speaking? (hollow laugh) Just because I can't stand the little prick doesn't mean that's why I disbelieve him. I disbelieve him because the current situation is (or damned well SHOULD be) ALWAYS suspect.
Third: You want to compare post WWII Germany to the current situation, try this one on for size: the American Constabulary (troops left in place in Germany in active service roles) was 35,000. That was after a full blown major world wide conflict. But we need 52,000 who are better armed than a WWII duck foot could ever dream of, for Iraq? Gimme a break. While I have no proof until time and events prove me right, there is no doubt in my mind that the same types of patrols, the same types of missions will continue in Iraq as took place before we "stopped combat operations", just under a different name to please the mindless drones.