Who controls U.S. troop deployment decisions?

The top U.S. military officer said Friday that Iraq must act very soon if it wants American forces to stay longer in the country, as discussions intensify over whether to keep any troops past this year.

Adm. Mike Mullen told reporters in Baghdad that time is running out for negotiations over an extended American troop presence. He emphasized the U.S. position that it would consider any request by the Iraqi government to keep American forces in the country past their expected Dec. 31 departure date but said that so far Baghdad has not asked the U.S. to do so.

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/04/ap-mullen-urges-iraq-to-decide-on-troop-presence-042211/

It's amazing - - whether U.S. troops stay in Iraq will be determined by the wishes of the Iraqi, not the American, people.