WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2008
Bush: 8,000 Troops Coming Home By Feb.
President Plans To Maintain Current Troop Levels In Iraq Through End Of Year
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Play CBS Video Video Bush To Move U.S. Troops President Bush is to announce a plan that will move U.S. troops from Iraq to Afghanistan by February 2009. The troop withdrawal reflects a decrease in violence in Iraq. David Martin reports.
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U.S. Army soldiers from Hawk Company, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, patrol in a village near Muqdadiyah, about 60 miles north of Baghdad in Iraq's volatile Diyala province, Aug. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
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Interactive Battle For Iraq The government, the insurgency, key players, background and photos.
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Photo Essay Week In Iraq Photos A daily diary with scenes of the latest attacks and snapshots from the effort to rebuild a nation.
CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports that President Bush will make what could well be his last major decision on the Iraq War - an issue that has dominated and defined his presidency.
Acting on recommendations made by Defense Secretary Gates, the president will announce the withdrawal of 8,000 troops from Iraq by next February. A battalion of 1,500 Marines out of western Iraq in November and an Army combat brigade of 3,500 soldiers will be withdrawn in February, along with 3,400 support troops.
That will bring overall troop strength in the country down to 136,000 - about what it was in 2006 before the "troop surge" was announced.
The president will say the withdrawals are possible because of the dramatic reductions in violence, now down to the lowest level since the spring of 2004.
The measured reduction - slower in scope and pace than many Democrats in Congress would like - gives the military some flexibility to shift forces into Afghanistan.
"Here is the bottom line: While the enemy in Iraq is still dangerous, we have seized the offensive, and Iraqi forces are becoming increasingly capable of leading and winning the fight," Mr. Bush said in remarks prepared for delivery to the National Defense University in Washington.
But even these modest withdrawals - less than six percent of U.S. troops - are more than the commander in Iraq, General David Pretraeus originally wanted. He recommended no further reductions until June of next year.
But he was overruled by because of the pressing need to free up more troops for Afghanistan.
The president will announce he is sending 5,000 more combat troops to Afghanistan: a Marine battalion in November and army combat brigade next January, but that is only a fraction of what the commander there says he needs.
President Bush will say it may be possible to withdrawal more troops in the first half of 2009 but that will be a decision for the next president.
In his remarks Mr. Bush argued that Iraq is in a better place now by almost any measure. He said violence is at its lowest point since the spring of 2004, "normal life is returning to communities across the country," and political reconciliation is moving forward.
The president cautioned that progress is still fragile and could be reversed. But he said his top commander and diplomat in Iraq assure him that the gains made there now have some durability.
But all this emphasis on progress and improvement belied the fact that his announcement is likely to be a disappointment to many who wanted - and even expected - bigger drawdowns sooner.
Nowhere did Mr. Bush acknowledge this, instead highlighting his announcement as one of "additional force reductions."
The Iraq war has drained the country's spirit during Mr. Bush's second term, and the future course of the conflict is a major point of division between the men who want to replace Mr. Bush, Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama.
More than half of Mr. Bush's address is devoted to Afghanistan.
He outlined what he called a "quiet surge" of additional American forces there, bringing the U.S. presence to nearly 31,000, compared with about 146,000 in Iraq.
"For all the good work we have done in that country, it is clear we must do even more," the president said.
He announced that a Marine battalion that had been scheduled to go to Iraq in November would go to Afghanistan instead, and that that would be followed by one Army combat brigade.
Commanders repeatedly have asked for more troops in Afghanistan, where there has been a resurgence of the Taliban and a growth in violence. The president acknowledged that the challenges in Afghanistan remain huge.
"Unlike Iraq, it has few natural resources and has an underdeveloped infrastructure. Its democratic institutions are fragile," Mr. Bush said. "And its enemies are some of the most hardened terrorists and extremists in the world. With their brutal attacks, the Taliban and the terrorists have made some progress in shaking the confidence of the Afghan people."
In other developments:
© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Add a Comment See all 38 Comments
- ArmySgt5: Too many that post on these sites have never served, which in itself should tell you something, and do not understand who or what the Geneva Convention protects, much less rules of engagement and such, it''s a waste of time trying to educate most, so you laugh and carry on. And be glad that they made the choice not to serve, they haven''t the stomach for it.
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- even sheep hate Bush
Posted by Hacker101001 at 11:23 AM : Sep 09, 2008
People are sheep, you know. - Reply to this comment
- In a few years, we will be a poor nation too.
Posted by Nancy_Naive..you mean in a few months......regards - Reply to this comment
- even sheep hate Bush
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- buckfush500,
Please let us know which law President Bush broke to be charged as a war criminal. I would like to see the law, not you cut and paste casualty reports. I am sure you know that it is not a war crime if civilians are killed if the target was a valid military target. - Reply to this comment
- "Bush: 8,000 Troops Coming Home By Feb."
Hmm, just in time for the election. No coincidence there. - Reply to this comment
- jocro12,
I think you are little confused. You say that a troop reduction was not on President Bush''s agenda? Do you remember him explaining what the surge was? Do you remember him saying that additional combat brigades will be deployed and then redeployed? I guess you missed that part.
The "surge" is and always was temporary. That means when the surge is over the troops come home. - Reply to this comment
- stn_sage and Nancy_Naive,
If we are a third world country I guess you two better pack up your bags and leave. - Reply to this comment
- "In his remarks Mr. Bush argued that Iraq is in a better place now by almost any measure." Here is a "measure" that Bush did not mention: 1,000,000 Iraqi deaths. How can he murder 1 million people and say it is a better place. I wonder how many have suffered debilitating injuries. Another measure: Falujah is completely leveled.
Posted by buckfush500 at 10:44 AM : Sep 09, 2008
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It''s question of simple math! There''s less to count
now, it''s easier to figure out, ERGO it''s BETTER! - Reply to this comment
- Not to worry! The troops can be redeployed to Georgia when McCain gets his war going there.
Posted by jmurrieta11 at 10:41 AM : Sep 09, 2008
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Another OPTIMIST! :) - Reply to this comment
- 160,000 shouldn`t have left in the first place.
Also to Posted by stn_sage at 10:33 AM : Sep 09, 2008, we`re there. We`re third world already. We are living on residual wealth. In a few years, we will be a poor nation too.
Posted by Nancy_Naive at 10:37 AM : Sep 09, 2008
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Nancy, I absolutely agree with you, the troops shouldn''t have gone! In light of housing crash, banking crash (11th has fallen), underreported unemployment, and SKYROCKETING PRICES for most
goods; yeah, I can see why you''d say we''re already
third world, I was just trying to be optimistic!
But, the damage HAS been done! Thanks, ''W''! Thanks, GOP! - Reply to this comment
- Not to worry! The troops can be redeployed to Georgia when McCain gets his war going there.
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- 6. Any the U.S. (W) is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi CIVILIANS! should read:
And the U.S. (W) is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi CIVILIANS! - Reply to this comment
- Posted by Welshwoman at 06:43 AM : Sep 09, 2008
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I can''t get all comments in, but here''s a few:
1. Three things have destroyed the USA. ''W'', his lemming supporters, and a non-reporting press!
2. Within 2-3 years we will be a third world nation.
3. And it took the worst president in history to do it!
4. Iraqis weren''t behind 911, we invaded them. Oops!
5. In spite of U.S. provocation, Iran still hasn''t retaliated against us!
6. Any the U.S. (W) is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi CIVILIANS!
7. But, the Iraqis don''t laugh about it, they CRY!
8. Americans were killed on 911. The wrong perpetrators have been blamed!
9. The public doesn''t blame ''W'' for everything, only what he''s bungled, that''s plenty!
10. It wasn''t necessary to go to war, and most Americans lives'' would be better NOT worse, like now.
11. Obcourse, you don''t know because you CLAIM to study, but you DON''T THINK! You''re a republican!
12. You accuse others what YOU''RE guilty of! That is, talking off your heads! SO, my advice:
13. Instead of proving your ignorance, shut up, then we won''t know you''re stupid!
14. As life worsens, it''s your best defense not to let everyone know you''re one of THEM! - Reply to this comment
- jocro12,
Please let me know how reducing the troops by 8000 is what Obama wanted to do and not part of any operation? - Reply to this comment
- don;t know all I can be sure of is the group my son is with. What about all the reservists being sent over there now?
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- I''m beginning to believe the pundits. Every time an election or a critical vote in Congress is in the offing Bush or Chertoff come up with some phenominal news. The terrorist are about to strike or we''re bringing troops home from Iraq. The chance that these states of nature are coincidental is probably a million to one. I love REPUB logic.
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- ArmyDogII...............
Very good point , How many soldiers are rotating out of Iraq in January. As you mentioned, you know 2500 scheduled to rotate out in January. anyway. - Reply to this comment
ArmyDogII...............
Very good point , How may soldiers are rotating out of Iraq in January. As you mentioned, you know 2500 scheduled to rotate out in January. anyway.- Reply to this comment
Gee more people have died because we had to win a war that should never have been fought. Now they can "bring them home" AFTER the election. They may, or, may not, but it looks good now at election time.
The Bush Administration is playing politics with lives of our soldiers.- Reply to this comment
The road ahead in Afghanistan, and the crucial decision Obama faces.
