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President George W Bush personally intervened last week to play down as "speculation" all talk of troop pull-outs because he fears that even discussing options for an "exit strategy" implies weakening resolve.
Gen George Casey, the US ground commander in Iraq, was given his dressing-down after he briefed that troop levels - now 138,000 - could be reduced by 30,000 in the early months of next year as Iraqi security forces take on a greater role.
The unusual sign of US discord came as Iraqi politicians and clerics drafting a new constitution continued their own wrangling over autonomy demands by various factions.
Politically, the administration will be under pressure to signal a significant cut in the US presence by autumn next year to help Republicans fighting mid-term elections in November 2006. Military commanders, however, also need to wind down numbers, the imperative that prompted Gen Casey's comments, according to Dan Goure, a Pentagon adviser and vice-president of the Lexington Institute defence think-tank.
Their "best scenario" target is to reduce numbers to 60,000-70,000 by next autumn if Iraqi forces start to make progress against the insurgents. The fall-back option would be Gen Casey's minimum 30,000 reduction by the summer.
Originally posted by RANT
Well, let's just not advertise it. Terrorists need targets anyway. I think that's the point of all this now. I know I'm paying for sumin' damnit.
Here's a flag.
All better?
Let the Generals make the military decisions and the politicians should stay out things they obviously know nothing about.
Originally posted by SportyMB
Let the Generals make the military decisions and the politicians should stay out things they obviously know nothing about.
I totally agree
Originally posted by vincere7
Souljah you are definitely anti-American. You have done nothing on this forum, but use propaganda against the U.S. A concise drumming of anti-American policy has stemmed from your posts. You are the enemy.
Originally posted by devilwasp
BTW , I agree with whaaa and Sporty on the "behind closed doors" approach.
Originally posted by Souljah
Yep, I agree with that Approach too.
Bush looks to me in this Events like Hitler, who was basicly a Politican, who REALLY Liked to make Military Decisions.
Let the Army do its Job and Vice Versa.