MORE ON DRAWDOWN

The AP had this story today in my local paper:

Officials more hopeful on Iraq draw down
By LOLITA C. BALDOR Associated Press Writer
Nov 24, 2005 9:29 AM EST
Contingency plans for a phased withdrawal include proposals to further postpone or cancel the deployment of a Fort Riley, Kan., brigade and an option to put a combat brigade in nearby Kuwait in case it is needed, said a senior Pentagon official.

The official, who asked not to be identified because plans are not final, said stresses on the National Guard and Reserves are also factors.

"With the number of units available, they are coming to the point where they simply were not going to have enough brigades," said Dan Goure, a military analyst with the nonpartisan Lexington Institute, which studies public policy. "There is a recognition that the number has to come down because of the stress that was being placed on the force."

Goure added, "There is a plan that has been in the works for at least six months with the idea that we possibly could reduce the number of troops."

Knight-Ridder had an article this Wednesday that seemed to avoid a real discussion of the stress issue:

“Officials caution, however, that any progress toward withdrawal would be contingent on improving conditions in Iraq.”

“Opponents say McCain's idea has little traction with lawmakers heading into next year's mid-term elections and little enthusiasm from a military already stretched thin and struggling to meet recruitment quotas.”


Before we get into a nasty debate about "Who lost Iraq?", the press needs to be more upfront about the need to save our ground forces by withdrawing them.