Bush Backs Petraeus' Pause

Vowing that Gen. David Petraeus will have “all the time he needs” in Iraq, President Bush today announced a pause, from August until at least mid-September, in withdrawal of troops from Iraq, CNN reports. Citing the post-surge security gains, Bush said, “we have renewed and revived the prospect of success” in a war he characterized as “difficult, not endless.”

Hope to ease pressure on an overworked military, Bush said troop deployments starting in August would be shortened from 15 months to 12. The president also admonished Iran for arming Shiite militias. Echoing Ambassador Ryan Crocker’s testimony before Congress, Bush said Iran “had a choice to make,” and "if Iran makes the wrong choice, America will act to protect our interests.” (More troop drawdown stories.)