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Bush Preps for Exit Strategy on Surge

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

By J. Kelman, Newser User

Posted Jun 23, 2007 9:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Bush administration has commissioned a slew of reports that could help it justify an end to the troop surge later this fall, the New York Times reports. Three months before Gen. Petraeus's planned report on the efficacy of the troop increase—expected to recommend a continuation of the surge—Bush and Co. are lining up others who will recommend an alternate strategy come September.

They include the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a long-time Bush foe just tapped by the Pentagon to conduct one congressionally mandated study on Iraq. Senior administration officials say Bush needs an out, given political pressures and the realities of an overstretched army. “Petraeus wants as much time as he can get,” says one senior administration official, but “the president may not have the leeway.”

President Bush makes a statement on the war in Iraq in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, April 23, 2007. With him is Gen. David Petraeus, commander of the multinational force in... (Associated Press)

General David H. Petraeus smiles during a change of command ceremony in the heavily fortified Green Zone area in Baghdad, Iraq in this Sunday, June 10, 2007 file photo. The U.S. commander in Iraq says... (Associated Press)

Vice President Dick Cheney meets with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker,left, and Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, right, at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, May 9, 2007. Crocker... (Associated Press)

Vice President Dick Cheney, center, flanked by U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker, left, and Gen. David Petraeus, commander of the U.S. forces in Iraq, right, takes part news conference in Baghdad,... (Associated Press)

Gen. David Petraeus, left, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, salutes President Bush as he prepares to board Air Force One after visiting Central Command, Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at MacDill Air Force Base... (Associated Press)

Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, gestures during a news conference at the Pentagon, Thursday, April 26, 2007. (AP Photo/Heesoon Yim) (Associated Press)

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Bush Preps for Exit Strategy on Surge

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

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Iraq • Bush administration • Pentagon • troop surge • David Petraeus • Iraq war • George W. Bush

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No Jail Time for Marine in Iraqi Civilian Killings

Judge recommends Frank Wuterich rank be reduced to private

Bush's CIA Chief: We Ruled Out Iran Strike

Michael Hayden says it would have backfired then, and would now, too

Iraq Seeks Return of Saddam's Bronze Butt

British soldier's cheeky keepsake is 'cultural property,' Iraq says

US Hangs Iraqi Translators Out to Dry

With visa process slowed, many now fear for their lives

63 Dead as Explosions Rip Baghdad

First major violence after US troop pullout rattles Iraq

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Bush Preps for Exit Strategy on Surge

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

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iraq • Bush administration • Pentagon • troop surge • David Petraeus • Iraq war • George W. Bush

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

No Jail Time for Marine in Iraqi Civilian Killings

Judge recommends Frank Wuterich rank be reduced to private

Bush's CIA Chief: We Ruled Out Iran Strike

Michael Hayden says it would have backfired then, and would now, too

Iraq Seeks Return of Saddam's Bronze Butt

British soldier's cheeky keepsake is 'cultural property,' Iraq says

US Hangs Iraqi Translators Out to Dry

With visa process slowed, many now fear for their lives

63 Dead as Explosions Rip Baghdad

First major violence after US troop pullout rattles Iraq

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?