Numbers Of US In Iraq Today

[Annie]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060124/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/iraq_us_military

Fewest U.S. Troops in Iraq Since Summer

Tue Jan 24, 2:54 PM ET

The number of U.S. troops in Iraq has been cut to the lowest level since last summer, when a buildup for election protection expanded the force to about 160,000, Pentagon officials said Tuesday.

There are now about 136,000 troops in Iraq, according to Lt. Col. Barry Venable, a Pentagon spokesman.

He said this meant that the extra forces in place during the October constitutional referendum and the December parliamentary elections have been removed and a rotation of major combat units has largely been completed.

Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said last month that he expects the troop levels to be brought down further, to about 130,000 by the beginning of March. He and other officials have said still more cuts could be made later in the year if conditions permit — including the availability of increasing numbers of Iraqi troops.

Two years ago the U.S. force dropped to about 110,000 but was boosted after insurgent violence spiked. Since then troop levels have ranged from about 135,000 to 160,000, putting enormous strain on the Army and Marine Corps.

 

[Gunny]

But of course. It's all because of the pressure put on the administration by Murtha .... didnchaknow? :scratch:

 

[Adam's Apple]

Carville and Begala say the reduction is happening because the Republicans know there's an election coming up in November. Never mind that we had to send more troops for security purposes during the Iraqi election; and now that there is an official Iraqi government in place, it is time for them to start taking responsibility for their own security and defense. We're simply starting to wean them away from dependence on coalition forces. Some coalition countries have started to withdraw their troops as well.

 

[Avatar4321]

But of course. It's all because of the pressure put on the administration by Murtha .... didnchaknow? :scratch:

Yeah of course. We are after all losing the war. I mean never mind that we diposed Saddam; stopped future weapons programs; strengthend the Iraqis militarily, economically, and educationally; helped them organize and elect their own government; and everything else like we planned. We lost the war.