Pentagon's DIA is War-Gaming for Iraq Pullout

[Rose Siding]

Iraq: Planning For Pullout

Sept. 19, 2005 issue - Analysts at the Defense Intelligence Agency have begun war-gaming scenarios for what might happen in Iraq if U.S. force levels were cut back or eliminated, say counterterrorism and defense sources. The officials, who asked not to be named because of the sensitive subject matter, declined to discuss specifics of the DIA analyses, which they indicate are in the preliminary stages. Some officials say that people in the intelligence community are leery about engaging in speculative exercises for fear of being accused by conservatives of undermining George W. Bush's administration policy. However, others say that this analysis could support staying the course in Iraq if a U.S. pullout would result in greater insurgent violence or a religious civil war.

The intel community discussions are underway at a time when influential members of Congress have been asking similar questions about the consequences of U.S. troop reductions in Iraq......

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9285511/site/newsweek/