Posted on 08/10/2008 3:23:07 PM PDT by traumer
Absolutely.
Tenty-Twenty.
Twenty per cent of their output for the next Twenty years at Twenty dollars per barrel.
I don’t see that they’re in a position to demand anything. That said, I agree with the twenty-twenty proposition.
Pure political BS.
Some people have short memories. There are two decision points in the rotation pattern. September for reductions by end-year and March for reductions by end-July.
The timeline already exists and was briefed last September by General Petraius.
- 12 combat Brigades with half in overwatch and half partnered by end-2008.
- If things go well that changes to 10 combat Brigades in overwatch by July-2009.
- If they continue to go well then 7 combat Brigades in overwatch by end-2009.
- If still continue well, then 5 combat brigades covering the primary airbases by July-2010. Air cover by US necissary until 2019-2020 per the Iraqi MoD.
The negotiation is over how much slack on the decision points.
The decision in September to reduce to 12 has already been made. The three BCTs that are not being replaced have already been identified. One USMC RCT, 3/101 BCT, and 1/10 BCT. The alerted BCTs that would have replaced are going to Afghanistan instead.
I can't get packed that quickly. ;-)
And this information is being somewhat skewed...they're not demanding a total withdrawal, but an eventual drawdown based on the security situation.
It's not quite time yet, but things are markedly improved when you consider '05, '06 and the first half of '07.
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