Bush to announce US troop levels in Iraq next week
Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, delivered his recommendations to military leaders about two weeks ago. He had initially argued to maintain the current force levels in Iraq — about 146,000 troops, including 15 combat brigades and thousands of support forces — through June, according to defense officials.
Officials discussed details of the plan on condition of anonymity because Bush has not yet made a final decision.
"The question on the president's mind has been, 'How do we make sure that we cement those gains and not jeopardize those gains and be able to continue the process of return on success?'" said Perino.
If Bush adopts the recommendations, it would be left to the next president to execute further troop reductions in Iraq and a greater buildup in Afghanistan. Several more combat brigades are scheduled to leave Iraq during the first half of next year, and decisions must be made on whether or not to replace them.
Commanders have repeatedly asked for more troops in Afghanistan, where there has been a resurgence of the Taliban and a growth in violence.
Bush's term ends in January. Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has advocated pulling all U.S. combat forces out of Iraq within 16 months of the new president taking office. GOP nominee John McCain has said he would rely on the advice of U.S. military commanders to determine the timing and pace of troop reductions. Both candidates have said more troops are needed in Afghanistan.
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Member Comments
Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 08/25/2008 1:50:40 AM
Comment: Awe repigs, you're confused, if you don't vote for Obama, you a MORON not a racist. If you call him a MUSLIM, knowing he is not...you're a racist. If you're in that group of "older white males" who refuse to hear him, you're a racist.
As for "experience" ther are several 4 Star and lower Generals who say that being a prisoner does NOT a president make...and given mccains attendance record or rather his absence record of 61% gone, his congressional experience is questionable at best. Add to that the fact that for 8 yrs he has sided with bush 95% of the time and here goes the figures ;) :
25 yrs in congress
Present 38% of the time = 9.5 yrs out of 25yrs
VOTED with bush 95% of 8yrs = 7.5 yrs out of 8 (for a total of 6 mos out of 8yrs mccain did not agree with bush)
Let's see our final number shall we.
Time in congress where mccain was just mccain and not a lap dog for bush = 2.5yrs
2.5yrs of actual attendance that was not just BUSH yrs, hmmm who else has just over 2.5 yrs senatorial experience less all the corruption of a John McCain...hmmmm..
Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 08/22/2008 3:57:55 PM
Comment: Yeah like some cool movie you just watched with a certian GOV in it right, just kill them that solves everything...yeah KILL KILL KILL! Oh all most forgot, DRILL DRILL DRILL too ;)
In side the mind of a repeaterchic.
Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 08/22/2008 3:55:04 PM
Comment: Mr. McCain,
Let me make this perfectly clear, we are NOT questioning you POW story, we are questioning how many houses you have (a...i don't...I'll have my staff), what it means to be rich (5million), what it means to "WIN" in Iraq. etc....etc. We get it you sucked as a pilot and were shot down and captured...you're a POW survivor...and?