The News: U.S. commanders in Iraq recommend starting drawdown

This move surprises me slightly. I just hope that this is not taking place too early, even though the sharp decline in civilian casualties and effective offensive against AQI indicates that it may be time.

WASHINGTON: Commanders in Iraq have decided to drawdown U.S. forces in volatile Diyala province, marking a turning point in the U.S. military mission.

Reflecting President Bush's bid to begin reducing the American military force and shift to functions like training and advising Iraqi security forces, the number of US Army ground combat brigades in Iraq will fall from 20 to 19.
(The News)

If the timing is right, then I'm overjoyed for our troops. The mission gets done and our soldiers get some much-needed and well-deserved rest--sooner than I hoped.

Hopefully we'll continue to see the Iraqi security forces operate more and more effectively to continue to enable more draw-downs.

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