NYT:
WASHINGTON — The Bush administration is considering the withdrawal of additional combat forces from Iraq beginning in September, according to administration and military officials, raising the prospect of a far more ambitious plan than expected only months ago.
Such a withdrawal would be a striking reversal from the nadir of the war in 2006 and 2007.
One factor in the consideration is the pressing need for additional American troops in Afghanistan, where the Taliban and other fighters have intensified their insurgency and inflicted a growing number of casualties on Afghans and American-led forces there.
More American and allied troops died in Afghanistan than in Iraq in May and June, a trend that has continued this month.
Although no decision has been made, by the time President Bush leaves office on Jan. 20, at least one and as many as 3 of the 15 combat brigades now in Iraq could be withdrawn or at least scheduled for withdrawal, the officials said.
The desire to move more quickly reflects the view of many in the Pentagon who want to ease the strain on the military but also to free more troops for Afghanistan and potentially other missions.I see three, possibly four plausible explanations for this sudden change in policy.
1) Bush has decided that he wants to 'finish up' in Iraq on his own terms, rather than risk having a Democratic president go in next year and begin the withdrawal. I see Bush possibly hoping he can spin it in a more positive light for posterity if he does this before he leaves office.
2)
IRAN!
3) The situation in Afghanistan has become more than out of control - I suspect more than we are already aware - leaving no choice but to redeploy troops out of Iraq and back into Afghanistan where we began.
4) My last theory is actually #3 with a part a & b:
a) Redeploy some troops into Afghanistan, and even more troops to prepare for Iran.
b) Redeploy troops to Afghanistan, and mention
'potentially other missions' specifically to the media in order to try to frighten Iran into BUSHCOmpliance with regards to their evil nuclear program.
That's all I can see in my crystal ball tonight.
-Diane
