Troops May Double in 'Second Surge'

Analysis of Pentagon orders shows 8 more brigades in Iraq by year's end

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted May 22, 2007 3:33 PM CDT

(Newser) – The number of US combat troops in Iraq is being quietly doubled this year in what the San Francisco Chronicle calls a second surge, the paper concludes from an analysis of Pentagon orders. The combination of new combat brigades and lengthened tours for troops already stationed in Iraq could bring the total to 28 brigades rather than the 20 designated for the surge.

The orders suggest that the number of combat soldiers in Iraq will rise from 52,500 in January to 98,000 by year's end. Including support troops, the total will climb from 162,000 to more than 200,000. An army spokesman denies a "secret surge," and attributes the increase to "a crossover period" while replacing stationed brigades with new ones.

' (Associated Press)

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Troops May Double in 'Second Surge'

Analysis of Pentagon orders shows 8 more brigades in Iraq by year's end

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Troops May Double in 'Second Surge'

Analysis of Pentagon orders shows 8 more brigades in Iraq by year's end

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iraq • Pentagon • military strategy • troop surge • US troops • tour of duty • Iraq war • George W. Bush

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Repeat Combat Tours Zap Troops' Mental Health

Survey finds steep rise in mental problems among soldiers on third, fourth tours

Bush Preps for Exit Strategy on Surge

White House orders reports that could counter pro-surge Petraeus come Sept.

Two-Thirds of Americans Back Afghanistan Surge

Two-thirds of Americans support Afghanistan 'surge'

Bush Ordered Troop Surge Over Internal Opposition

State Dept., Pentagon, military leaders were split over plan

Petraeus Sees No New Troop Buildup in Iraq

General wraps up two days of testimony before Congress

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