Is the Iraqi timetable for American withdrawal more political than tactical..? Do you agree with Gen. Casey?

Question

U.S. Says More Soldiers May Be Needed in Iraq
American Officials Unveil Security Plan for Iraqi Troops
By STEVEN R. HURST, AP

BAGHDAD, Iraq (Oct. 25) - Two weeks before U.S. midterm elections, American officials unveiled a timeline Tuesday for Iraq's Shiite-led government to take specific steps to calm the world's most dangerous capital and said more U.S. troops might be needed to quell the bloodshed.

At a rare joint news conference with the American ambassador, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. George Casey, said additional U.S. troops could come from inside or outside Iraq to "improve basic services for the population of Baghdad."

There are currently 144,000 U.S. forces in Iraq.

"We are about 75 percent of the way through a three-step process in building those (Iraqi) forces," the general said. "It is going to take another 12 to 18 months or so until I believe the Iraqi security forces are completely capable of taking over responsibility for their own securitity.

Answer 1

Polotics and military have been closely alligned for hundreds of years in most every country in the world. There is no question that this "withdrawal timetable" is suddenly brought up by an administration that has said for a couple of years now that they have no timetable with just 2 weeks to go before our national elections. The polls suggest that the Republicans could lose the majority in both the house and Senate. If this were not true, the withdrawal timetable would not even have been brought up.
The games continued to be played by the politicians and they continue to fool way too many people in this country who buy in to what ever is told to them. It's very, very sad.

Answer 2

a LOT can happen in a year. it isnt for nothing that the Prez wont make a decision about Iraq while hes in office. Its no accident that hell leave the mess for the next Pres...

he wont make any decisions whatsoever about anything. He is encapable of doing so. he is a mess..and his war is proof positive.