Multi-National Pull Out in Iraq

By now most people know what when the military and Bush Administration would like to begin pulling US troops from Iraq. It is when the Iraq security forces are prepared to shoulder their country's security on their own.

Whether this reduction is done systematically with consistent numbers of troops gradually being pulled over 6 months or 2 years is unknown. We must have confidence in our leadership they know when it is best to begin this withdrawal and how quickly it should be completed.

Yesterday, The Chicago Tribune, posted an article on line; "Army general expresses optimism about troop withdrawal in Iraq." The beginning of the post states, "The Army's top general said Monday that a reduction of U.S. troops in Iraq is possible if the training of Iraqi security forces and efforts to stabilize the country proceed at their current pace.

Gen. Peter Schoomaker, the Army's chief of staff, did not say when the troop cutbacks might occur, explaining that "...such decisions would depend heavily on the judgment of U.S. commanders in Iraq."

According to the Associated Press article today titled, "U.S. Launches Deadly Raid on Iraq Insurgents," another country is considering or maybe scheduling troop withdrawal from Iraq. "Polish Defense Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski, meanwhile,U.S. Launches Deadly Raid on Iraq Insurgents said his country wanted to pull its troops out of Iraq in the first few weeks of 2006, the latest blow to the U.S.-led coalition."

Poland has been a great ally for the war on terror and if they decide to pull troops early in 2006 then their troops should get a warm welcome home for a job well done.

What we do know is the US media is jumping to conclusions as to what the meaning and ramifications of the announcement by Poland. Per the above Associated Press article, "Polish Defense Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski, meanwhile, said his country wanted to pull its troops out of Iraq in the first few weeks of 2006, the latest blow to the U.S.-led coalition."

Perhaps by this time, the US has decided troops from all nations involved can begin going home without risking a Iraq's preparedness to police itself and defend against insurgents. Perhaps the US has already been speaking with Poland regarding when they project some troops can come home. It is also possible the Poles have decided this independently due to political pressure or other reasons. We do not know details. Therefore it is dangerous to make a statement "the latest blow to the US-led coalition." The only blow I see is to the objectivity of The Associated Press.