Army Is Planning for 100,000 G.I.'s in Iraq Till 2006

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/22/politics/22MILI.html?ex=1070082000&en=5d855fae49eff4c4&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

ASHINGTON, Nov. 21 — Army planning for Iraq currently assumes keeping about 100,000 United States troops there through March 2006, a senior Army officer said Friday. The plans reflect the concerns of some Army officials that stabilizing Iraq could be more difficult than originally planned.

The officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, warned that maintaining a force of that size in Iraq beyond then would cause the Army to "really start to feel the pain" from stresses on overtaxed active-duty, Reserve and National Guard troops.

The officer was offering a senior-level Army view on the issue, but the size of any future American force in Iraq will ultimately be decided by President Bush and a new provisional Iraqi government that is expected to assume control from an American administrator by June. The Army plans nevertheless give a view of top-level Pentagon thinking about the size of the American force that may be needed in Iraq well beyond the time next year when Washington expects to turn political control of Iraq back to Iraqi leaders.

Mr. Bush has said he will be guided by the military's judgment in deciding troop levels. Military officials have said they will base their recommendations largely on security conditions in Iraq and the extent Iraqis are trained to fill missions now carried out by American troops.

Another senior military official cautioned that while the senior Army officer's comments reflected prudent planning, it "has nothing to do with what the security situation on the ground might be in 18 months."

<snip>

God, this is sounding more and more like pre Nam ress releases. Hey, the Gulf of Tonkin (sp?) has already been replaced by WMD.

Sad thing about that?

Everyone knows it's a lie this time and just doesn't care.

[Dems Will Win]

1. DRAFT will be ready by 2006 for the Pentagon

Bush is spending $28 million in 2004 to gear up the draft to a 75-day countdown for 2005:

http://www.sss.gov/perfplan_fy2004.html

[MattNC]

5. from SSS itself...

Dear Sir:


Firstly, both the President and Secretary of Defense have stated on several occasions that there is no need for any draft for the war on terrorism, including Iraq. Secondly, a draft can only be reinstated by act of Congress and action by the President. Neither has acted nor indicated that they will act. Thirdly, the modest increase in our out-year budgets are for information technology, personnel, and security items which have not been addressed in previous straight-lined budgets. Because we do not have a FY 2004 budget, Selective Service doesn't know whether or not it will receive these increases. It doesn't look likely. And finally, there has been no movement by Congress or the Administration to adopt a program of national service--with or without a military option. Thanks for your inquiry.

[grytpype]

2. The long-term effects of Iraq are what's going to sink Bush.

The truth about the costs of Iraq are starting to come out. This is going to crush Bush's presidency. It's amazing that he has the support he does have...

[opihimoimoi]

3. Hawaii's Reserve Units have been notified of possible action nx year

Already the 25th from Schofeild Barracks are saddling up. Damn, this sucks

[ConcernedCanuk]

4. Does anyone believe the USA is "gonna get out" in the near future ??

. . I for one do not

. . How long have they remained in Korea ?

. . How long have they remained in Japan ?

. . How long have they stayed in Germany ?

. . How long . . - aw heck

- I read somewhere they have forces in over 25 countries right now !!

They NEVER fecking leave !! well c'pt Vietnam - 58,000 dead American young later)

Just My Dumm Canuk Observation

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

6. Kinda like a bad rash... n/t

[MrPrax]

7. 2005? rather presumptuous of the Shrub?

What's the Democrats stand on all this 'draft' talk?

Or is the GOP going to use it as a polarization issue--

patriotism litmus test?