Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

September Looms as Iraq Watershed

Legislative, military timetables converge with fiscal year

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted May 8, 2007 8:18 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – September is likely to be put-up-or-shut-up time for supporters of the Iraq war, legislators from both parties tell the Washington Post. Gen. David Petraeus has said he will have a sense of whether the surge is working by then, and lawmakers want a clearer picture of America's future involvement before the fiscal year begins October 1.

September also coincides with Ramadan. If the now-traditional wave of Iraqi violence recurs this year, it will be hard for the administration to argue that increased troop levels are having an effect. "There is a sense that by September, you've got to see real action on the part of Iraqis," says Senator Norm Coleman, a Republican.

U.S. marines and Iraqi soldiers on patrol the Shiite district of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, May 8, 2007. U.S marines and and soldiers and Iraqi soldiers searched a neighborhood for weapons and explosives. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
U.S. marines and Iraqi soldiers on patrol the Shiite district of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, May 8, 2007. U.S marines and and soldiers and Iraqi soldiers searched a neighborhood for weapons and...   (Associated Press)
A U.S. soldier looks on as residents and Iraqi soldiers survey the scene following a car bomb blast in Ramadi, 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, May 7, 2007. Two suicide car bombers attacked a market and a police checkpoint on the outskirts of Ramadi, killing...
A U.S. soldier looks on as residents and Iraqi soldiers survey the scene following a car bomb blast in Ramadi, 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, May 7, 2007. Two suicide car bombers...   (Associated Press)
An Iraqi contractor works on removing concrete blocks as U.S. soldiers stand by in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, May 5, 2007. Concrete walls are used for security barriers. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
An Iraqi contractor works on removing concrete blocks as U.S. soldiers stand by in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, May 5, 2007. Concrete walls are used for security barriers. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.
World • Politics • US

 
Iraq • troop surge • David Petraeus • timetable • Iraq war

More Newser Stories

Petraeus Sees No New Troop Buildup in Iraq

Petraeus Bemoans Iraq's Political Progress

Iraqi Civilian Deaths Spike in August

Bush Preps for Exit Strategy on Surge

Biden Makes Surprise Stop in Iraq
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne