U.S. Army Sgt. Martin Pruner (right) and Spc. John Gangluff (left) assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division provide outer security during the elections in Samarra, Iraq, on Jan. 31, 2009. DoD photo by Sgt. Kani Ronningen, U.S. Army. (Released)From Yahoo News/AP:
WASHINGTON – The White House is considering at least two troop withdrawal options as it weighs a new Iraq strategy — one that would preserve President Barack Obama's campaign pledge to get all combat brigades out within 16 months and a second that would stretch it to 23 months, two officials said Friday.
A third, in-between option of 19 months is also being weighed, according to the officials, neither of whom would discuss the sensitive topic without being granted anonymity. One of the officials said the main focus appears to be on the 16-month and 23-month options; 23 months would run to the end of 2010.
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Update: Military offers several possible timetables for U.S. pullout from Iraq -- McClatchy/Kansas City
My Comment: In the scheme of things, the Iraq draw down is no longer important. Very few .... if any .... Americans now get killed there from hostile action, the Iraqi provincial elections were a success, militant groups have been rounded up, killed, or are in hiding, and the first steps for a normal and functinal society are taking shape.
President Obama's focus is on the financial/economic crisis, Afghanistan, terrorism, North Korea, Iran, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, etc....
Iraq is now just a blip.
I expect that President Obama is going to commit to 16 months .... but do not be surprise that this will ultimately be dragged into the third year of his Presidential term.