Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
« Back to the grid | Next story »

Petraeus to Bush: Hold Troop Levels Steady

Posted Mar 25, 08 10:00 AM CDT in US 

(Newser) – Troop levels should remain steady in Iraq once they return to pre-surge levels in July, Gen. David Petraeus told President Bush today. Petraeus urged a period of “consolidation and evaluation,” with monthly reviews of ground conditions—meaning Bush would likely leave major troop reductions to his successor, the New York Times reports.

Petraeus’ measured words avoided the term “pause,” which has been popular on Capital Hill lately, and echoed the “consolidation and evaluation” phrase Robert Gates test drove in last month. Both the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Democrats are clamoring for a swift withdrawal. Petraeus’ monthly review plan seems designed to eliminate the lengthy debates between the current 6-month reviews.

Source New York Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Dear Iraq: It's Time to Step Up. Sincerely, W

    Sep 24, 08 8:57 AM CDT
    Dear Iraq: It's Time to Step Up. Sincerely, W As America faces "a financial 9/11," what does the $1 trillion bailout mean for the country's other huge expense—the war in Iraq? Thomas L. Friedman plays ventriloquist in the New York Times, imagining President Bush telling Iraqi leaders that "you are now going to have to step up and finish this job" as the US will "turn inward to get our house back in order." More »

  • Bush Pulled Rank on Military Over Surge

    Sep 8, 08 3:14 PM CDT
    Bush Pulled Rank on Military Over Surge In the months leading up to the Iraq surge, President Bush faced a revolt by frustrated Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Washington Post’s Bob Woodward writes in a new book, The War Within. Bush dumped the military leaders’ advice as Iraq spun out of control in fall of 2006, pushing a five-brigade surge on the hesitant generals while pulling rank. More »

  • Bush Advised to Delay Troop Cuts in Iraq

    Sep 5, 08 10:47 AM CDT
    Bush Advised to Delay Troop Cuts in Iraq President Bush's top defense advisers have recommended he maintain 15 combat brigades in Iraq until the end of the year—contrary to expectations that the improved security in Iraq would allow for quicker cuts, the AP has learned. If Bush follows the recommendations, he would delay any additional buildup in Afghanistan until early next year. More »

  • Pentagon May Prevent Petraeus From Testifying

    Sep 4, 08 12:38 PM CDT
    Pentagon May Prevent Petraeus From Testifying When David Petraeus next comes to Washington, he won’t be speaking on Capitol Hill, the Christian Science Monitor reports. Pentagon officials have denied requests for more hearings with the Iraq commander because they’re not sure they’ll agree with his recommendations. Petraeus has been criticized for being too cautious about Iraq withdrawals, while Afghanistan needs more troops. More »

  • Leaving Iraq, Petraeus Sees Gains as Fragile

    Aug 21, 08 5:37 AM CDT
    Leaving Iraq, Petraeus Sees Gains as Fragile David Petraeus is leaving Iraq after 18 months, and by all measures the country is far safer than when he arrived. The "surge" of 30,000 extra American soldiers was bolstered by major domestic developments, from the Muqtada al-Sadr ceasefire to the rise of Sunni awakening councils. But in an interview with the New York Times, the departing general warned that "It’s not durable yet. It’s not self-sustaining." More »

President Bush makes a statement at the State Department in Washington, Monday, March 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
U.S. Commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, speaks at the Pentagon in Washington in this Sept. 13, 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
Gen. David Petraeus, visits a shop in central Baghdad, Iraq, March 1, 2008. Gen. Petraeus will ask President Bush to wait until as late as September to decide when to bring home more troops.   (AP Photo)
A woman holds a sign reading "4,000 Dead" as she waits for the lighting of 4,000 candles in a demonstration to commemorate 4,000 U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq in San Francisco, Monday, March 24.   (AP Photo/Darryl Bush)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

George W. Bush • David Petraeus • Iraq exit strategy • Ryan Crocker • Petraeus Crocker plan


Loading...

Today's Most Popular

Loading...
SPONSORED NEWS ARCHIVE

Hot Docs: Advice for a Wartime President, Petraeus on Taking Over at CentCom;... (U.S. News & World Report)

Petraeus had Bush's ear. Will Mike Mullen have Obama's?(USA)(David Petraeus,... (The Christian Science Monitor)

US CENTCOM CHIEF SAYS STRIKES IN PAK TRIBAL AREAS HAVE KILLED TOP QAEDA, TALIBAN... (The Hindustan Times)

TELL ME HOW THIS ENDS: GENERAL DAVID PETRAEUS AND THE SEARCH FOR A WAY OUT... (Middle East)

ARMY GEN. PETRAEUS VISITS BAGRAM, DISCUSSES WAR IN AFGHANISTAN (US Fed News Service, Including US State News)

Pakistan urges America to halt air strikes on militants (The Independent - London)

PAK PM SAYS NEXT US PREZ MUST STOP AIR ATTACKS ON TRIBAL AREAS (The Hindustan Times)

13 Taliban militants, 7 civilians killed as airstrikes continue.(Front) (The Virginian Pilot)

IN BRIEF.(Main) (The Santa Fe New Mexican (Santa Fe, NM))


Other US Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »