We are speeding up our military withdrawal from Iraq with 4,000 more troops coming home next month. This reduction in US troops in Iraq from 124,000 to 120,000 by the end of October – marks the latest US step in winding down the six-year war. The commander there, General Odierno say that this withdrawal will not sacrifice security. Our plans are to thin our lines across Iraq to reduce the risk to US personnel while the Iraqi security forces pick up the slack. This is an excellent plan—as long as we don’t rush it. This will be a very long phase down—if we want it to be effective.
