Posted on 08/24/2007 8:35:28 AM PDT by mngran
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is expected to advise President Bush to reduce the U.S. force in Iraq next year by almost half, potentially creating a rift with top White House officials and other military commanders over the course of the war.
Administration and military officials say Marine Gen. Peter Pace is likely to convey concerns by the Joint Chiefs that keeping well in excess of 100,000 troops in Iraq through 2008 will severely strain the military. This assessment could collide with one being prepared by the U.S. commander in Iraq, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, calling for the U.S. to maintain higher troop levels for 2008 and beyond.
Petraeus is expected to support a White House view that the absence of widespread political progress in Iraq requires several more months of the U.S. troop buildup before force levels are decreased to their pre-buildup numbers sometime next year.
Pace's recommendations reflect the views of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who initially expressed private skepticism about the strategy ordered by Bush and directed by Petraeus, before publicly backing it.
According to administration and military officials, the Joint Chiefs believe it is of crucial strategic importance to reduce the size of the U.S. force in Iraq in order to bolster the military's ability to respond to other threats, a view that is shared by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
the big give away here is the “likely to”. By what magic wand was that pulled out of the future?
The propaganda efforts of those dedicated to the victory of our enemy is going to grow more and more fierce and deceitful as the “Sept. Report” draws near.
Pace only has a couple of months left and he is not being renominated. I smell sour grapes here.
ping.
Even Petraeus has said we can’t maintain current troop levels beyond April.
Now, we're paying the price for that short-sightedness. Even Petraeus is now saying that we can sustain the surge past April 2008 since almost everyone we have in the Army and Marines is pretty deployed right now.
I doubt the truth of this report. General Pace may feel some sour grapes at being forced to resign (because the stupid dems didn’t like his comment about gays in the military), this General is one fine man. He will NOT turn on the mission or the troops. If he does recommend troop withdrawals next year it will be in the correct context: they are standing up, so we can start standing down. All accounts are that the Iraqi military is beginning to congeal and is taking the lead in several missions.
General Pace will never turn his back on the forces, like General Batiste and other retired military men have.
Pace is responsible for the failed policies pre-Petraeus and may be trying to prevent success to cover his arse... in any event I was saddened when he was promoted.
LLS
You need to pay attention.
Iraq - Petraeus Says He Will Propose Troop Cuts
Obviously, Pace outranks Petraeus,
Obviously but what isn't too obvious to the neophytes is that Pace has command of his staff only, not any units. His role is strictly that as military advisor to the President and military liaison between the Executive Branch and the Department of Defense.
I'm guessing Bush will follow Petraeus' advice and it may lead to Pace's resignation.
Hardly. Pace has already announced he is retiring in September.
You haven't a clue as to who sets policy in the military. It isn't the CJCS.
in any event I was saddened when he was promoted.
You are a drama queen.
This article is pure speculation. Just trying to undermind Petraeus’ report.
Pace always says that he gives his advise and counsel to the POTUS confidentially.
“Pace is expected to offer his advice privately instead of issuing a formal report.”
The media is full of crap! How would they know if it’s “private”?
LLS
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