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Bush to Shorten Iraq Tours, Halt Drawdowns  

Posted Apr 10, 08 4:00 AM CDT in World,  US    Most Covered

(newser) – President Bush is expected to announce today that the drawdown of US troops in Iraq will be suspended—once forces reach their presurge level in July—because of a resurgence of fighting, reports the Washington Post. The decision, urged by Gen. David Petraeus, means the number of troops in Iraq could remain at their presurge levels until the end of the Bush presidency.

Bush is expected to endorse Petraeus' recommendation for a 45-day freeze on troop levels after July to reassess the situation. The president will also cut the length of future tours of duty in Iraq from 15 months to one year. The tour reductions are aimed at helping to alleviate some of Petraeus' concerns about the "strain and stress" troops face in repeat assignments in the combat zone.

Sources Washington Post, Reuters

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Bush to Shorten Iraq Tours, Halt Drawdowns
Gen David Petraeus cups his ear to listen to questions while testifying on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Bush to Shorten Iraq Tours, Halt Drawdowns
A militiaman, holding a rocket propelled grenade in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City, Baghdad, Wednesday.   (AP Photo)
Bush to Shorten Iraq Tours, Halt Drawdowns
A U.S. Army soldier on patrol in Mosul Iraq. The drawdown of troops from Iraq will be suspended but future combat tours will be shortened.   (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
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Iraq war  • David Petraeus  • Robert Gates  • deployment  • troop levels  • troop drawdown


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