WP: 3 Brigades May Be Cut in Iraq Early in 2006 (Cut & Run?)

[kskiska]

Some U.S. Troops Would Stay 'On Call' in Kuwait

Wednesday, November 23, 2005; A01

Barring any major surprises in Iraq, the Pentagon tentatively plans to reduce the number of U.S. forces there early next year by as many as three combat brigades, from 18 now, but to keep at least one brigade "on call" in Kuwait in case more troops are needed quickly, several senior military officers said.

Pentagon authorities also have set a series of "decision points" during 2006 to consider further force cuts that, under a "moderately optimistic" scenario, would drop the total number of troops from more than 150,000 now to fewer than 100,000, including 10 combat brigades, by the end of the year, the officers said.

Despite an intensified congressional debate about a withdrawal timetable after last week's call by Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.) for a quick pullout, administration officials say that military and political factors heavily constrain how fast U.S. forces should leave. They cite a continuing need to assist Iraq's fledgling security forces, ensure establishment of a permanent government, suppress the insurgency and reduce the potential for civil war.

U.S. military commanders, too, continue to favor a gradual, phased reduction, saying that too rapid a departure would sacrifice strategic gains made over the past 30 months and provide a propaganda windfall to insurgents.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...

[tularetom]

1. I'm shocked shocked I tell ya

They're planning to "cut 'n' run"? Why they would never do that.

[Doctor_J]

2. We'll have a "triumphant return"

just in time for election 06. To Rove, the war is a pageant, the dead soldiers extras.

[trogdor]

15. Expendable redshirted ensigns.

Just like Star Trek.

[dargondogon]

3. Thank God for Murtha's foresight

By speaking up he ensured Bush can't take the credit for making the inevitable reductions necessary after Bush destroyed our military.

[wookie294]

4. The problem with GRADUAL withdrawal is risk of higher KIA's

America should pull out quickly, not gradually. Fewer troops means fewer protection for the soldiers who remain in Iraq waiting to leave. Who wants to be the last soldier to die for this shit?

[jobycom]

5. An alien spaceship modeled after Amelia Earhart's plane may land

and teach us all the secret to immortality and instantaneous travel to distant planets that could support our exploding population early in 2006, too.

I'm not really planning my year around either possibility, though.

[Thom Little]

6. JUST IN TIME FOR THE ELECTION!

[kskiska]

7. Freep Wisdom:

To: REDWOOD99

Murtha knew this was coming. He didn't want the administration to get credit.

20 posted on 11/22/2005 10:17:31 PM PST by RobbyS ( CHIRHO)

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. 3 Brigades May Be Cut in Iraq Early in 2006

Some U.S. Troops Would Stay 'On Call' in Kuwait

By Bradley Graham and Robin Wright
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, November 23, 2005; Page A01

Barring any major surprises in Iraq, the Pentagon tentatively plans to reduce the number of U.S. forces there early next year by as many as three combat brigades, from 18 now, but to keep at least one brigade "on call" in Kuwait in case more troops are needed quickly, several senior military officers said.

Pentagon authorities also have set a series of "decision points" during 2006 to consider further force cuts that, under a "moderately optimistic" scenario, would drop the total number of troops from more than 150,000 now to fewer than 100,000, including 10 combat brigades, by the end of the year, the officers said.

Despite an intensified congressional debate about a withdrawal timetable after last week's call by Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.) for a quick pullout, administration officials say that military and political factors heavily constrain how fast U.S. forces should leave. They cite a continuing need to assist Iraq's fledgling security forces, ensure establishment of a permanent government, suppress the insurgency and reduce the potential for civil war.

U.S. military commanders, too, continue to favor a gradual, phased reduction, saying that too rapid a departure would sacrifice strategic gains made over the past 30 months and provide a propaganda windfall to insurgents.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...

[Oversea Visitor]

9. Face it

Iraq is fuck.
Occupying and pacifying a hostile nation need lots of troops.

All this talk of reducing troops numbers just mean you put those few left behind in greater danger.

Sickening that all those people in power willing to let the grunts get kill just to look nice.

[DoYouEverWonder]

10. It's a lose, lose situtation

no matter what we do. The more people that can come home the better. The rest will hunker down on our well protected bases and it is the Iraqis who will continue to suffer either way.

[leftchick]

11. there are actually at least 161,000 US troops currently in Iraq

I have also read 162,000. I guess that is more than 150,000.
They do like to fuzzy up the numbers don't they?

[rodeodance]

12. This has been coming--there can not be many more 'rotations'

[DoYouEverWonder]

13. That's one of the reasons why the Iraqis are making statements

asking us to leave all of a sudden. We probably asked them to make that statement so we can save face when the time comes.

[DoYouEverWonder]

14. Isn't this the same plan Kerry introduced last week?

It sure sounds similar.