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Shifting Sands: Iraq Troop Withdraw May Begin Soon
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by phrolen | August 15, 2007 at 11:50 am
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NowPublic contributor phrolen is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Joint Taskforce Katrina. His commentary is based on actual experience.
U.S. troop levels in Iraq might begin to decline significantly by next summer according to top U.S. commander in Iraq General David Petraeus. Speaking to a small group of reporters on Wednesday Petraeus stated that he believes that the U.S. footprint on Iraqi soil would have to be "A good bit smaller" by next summer, indicating that he believes that real progress is being made on the ground. Though, he cautions, that attacks such as the one Tuesday that killed at least 250 Yazidi's perfect examples of why a U.S. withdraw could not be too precipitous.
Over 3600 U.S. servicemen have been killed in action and over 20,000 wounded since the onset of hostilities in 2003. There has been growing pressure from elected officials, in the face of public dis-satisfaction, to begin troop withdraws, though poll data suggests that 92% of Americans are indeed against a hasty withdraw. Recent progress from the General Petraeus spearheaded "Surge" has shifted more public opinion toward concluding combat operations victoriously rather than precipitously, and a recent vote to remove troops from the theatre of war was vetoed by President Bush without congress garnering enough votes to override the veto.
BAGHDAD (AP) - The top American commander in Iraq said Wednesday he was preparing recommendations on troop cuts before he returns to Washington next month for a report to Congress, and believes the U.S. footprint in Iraq will have to be "a good bit smaller" by next summer.But he cautioned against a quick or significant U.S. withdrawal that could surrender "the gains we have fought so hard to achieve."
Gen. David Petraeus said the "horrific and indiscriminate attacks" that killed at least 250 Yazidis, an ancient religious sect, in northwestern Iraq Tuesday night were the work of al-Qaida in Iraq. That would bolster his argument, he said, against too quickly drawing down the 30,000 additional U.S. troops deployed in the first half of the year.
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (3)
at 12:14 on August 15th, 2007
phrolen, thanks for keeping us informed about this. do you think a withdrawal is appropriate? is that really what's neede to spur the Iraqi security forces into action? Good Stuff.
at 12:21 on August 15th, 2007
Ryan, I do not believe that Petraeus will initiate withdraw unless he truly thinks it is time. Contrary to pooular opinion the Iraqi forces have seen huge prgresses in recent months with many areas of Iraq under direct control of Iraqi Troops. Reports from the field have suggested that Iraqi units are now working cooperatively along side of U.S. forces and U.S. troops are now reporting that the units that were once inept are now fighting along side with skill and effectiveness. I believe that in time the Iraqis will be completely independent, but remember, one of the most controversial decisions of the war was the decision by coalition provisional authority leader L. Paul Bremer to disband the Iraq military. What we are seeing now is a ground up re-construction of a new military force. Not an easy task. One might note the transformation of th U.S> military from a drafted force to an all volunteer force after Vietnam and exactly how long it took to make that concept effective.
at 17:06 on August 15th, 2007
phrolen, Good stuff.