U.S. May Begin Iraq Troop Drawdown in '06
 

By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer
50 minutes ago


WASHINGTON - Major reductions in U.S. troop levels in Iraq next year appear increasingly likely, although Pentagon officials said Monday it is too early to predict the specific size and timing.

The Pentagon is eager to pull some of its 135,000 troops out of Iraq in 2006, partly because the counterinsurgency is stretching the Army and Marine Corps perilously thin as casualties mount and partly because officials believe the presence of a large U.S. force is generating tacit support for anti-American violence.

It appears highly unlikely that any significant numbers will be withdrawn before the end of the year. U.S. commanders expect the insurgency to remain at or near its current strength at least until after a scheduled October referendum on a new Iraqi constitution, followed by December elections for a new government.

Attempts by U.S. officials to predict the course of the insurgency have been off the mark, and officials have been forced more than once to scrap plans to reduce the U.S. force in Iraq. The force peaked at about 160,000 in January, when extra troops were needed to bolster security for the elections.

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They have to or there goes Jeb's shot at the White House.

About time.

Lol good one Delt. I just don't see Jeb running in 08 though.

Found out that my cousin's son is with the 48th, now in Badgad, in the thick of things.

Jim lives in Sandersville GA and is a stockbroker with Edward Jones, Inc. Area EJ offices are gathering stuff for many of Jim's buddies who are single and don't get alot of letters, packages, ec.

I think that is soo wonderful!

Hopefully he will be home soon even though he just left in May.

LOL - and people complain about Jeb not being able to get things done. LOL (j/k)

Soooo.... let me see if I understand this - insurgent attacks and deaths are still high (and rising), there was talk at the G8 of getting NATO invovled, Rumsfeld talk of 'years' in the time frame... but Cheney thinks everything is looking up - and then the memo discussing a withdrawal.... hmmm I wonder who is really in charge ;)

Great, The Mud Turtle burys His Head!

Cool, lets tell them when we are planning on pulling out.:mad:

Hell, just drop a big one on them all!:o

NATO, being a co-elation of Countrys.

What about the U N, the most "peace" of crap in the world.

Until The People of Iraq qnd Afganastan stand up and do it for themselves, who has to do it? It sure isnt Iran, Syria, or Saudi Arabia.

Get with Polotics see what is going on.

USA and The Coelation are not the answer, The People of those Countrys are.