US Delaying Deployments To Iraq

Maybe not a grand sign, but a positive one nonetheless. And so is the quote at bottom from Iraq War critic retired Army Gen. McCaffrey. In terms of troop deployments, the Iraq War isn't going to end with a mass withdrawal and a parade like WWII. More likely it will resemble Korea. That may shed some light on Bush's previous comment about a future President deciding when the last troops would come home.

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon announced Monday that it has delayed sending 3,500 troops from Germany to Iraq as military commanders in Baghdad assess whether security conditions have improved enough to allow more cuts in forces.

If the public perception of the Iraq War starts to turn around by the end of summer, you can throw out much of the current political calculus.

On top of that, I do think the Democrats have made a huge error already by over-playing their hand. No matter what happens, it is not a National election this year and everyone knows things will tighten up significantly near the end. Given current Dem posturing, that will inevitably translate into the appearance of Republican momentum with the Democrats playing defense as we move into the fall.

Then there's this headline from John Conyer's website:

Demand an Investigation of Administration Abuses of Power and Make Recommendations Regarding Grounds for Possible Impeachment

I suspect even a discouraged Republican base will get fired up over Conyer's potentially heading up the Judiciary Committee if the Dems take the House.

More on the troop deployment issue.

The official said decisions regarding the size of forces in Iraq would likely occur at the end of May and again in August, since deployments of troops and equipment have to be mapped out months in advance to keep the rotation schedule running smoothly. ..

In a report distributed last week, retired Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey, an often fierce critic of the war who was just back from a visit to Iraq, said he found Iraqi army units "real, growing and willing to fight," but that they needed "two to five more years of U.S. partnership and combat backup" before they're ready to stand alone.

The police are "heavily infiltrated" by insurgent forces and Shiite militias, short of resources and "incapable of confronting local armed groups," McCaffrey said. Stabilizing Iraq will take at least 10 years and require "patience, significant resources and an international public face," he said, adding, "We can absolutely do this."

Daniel Goure, a defense analyst at the Lexington Institute, a public policy research group in Arlington, Va., said Monday's announcement signals the beginning of a U.S. drawdown of forces.

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[splashtc]

or they may be needed elsewhere...