Top U.S. General Says Number of Capable Iraqi Battalions Drops to One

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB60MB97EE.html

WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of Iraqi battalions capable of combat without U.S. support has dropped from three to one, the top American commander in Iraq told Congress Thursday, prompting Republicans to question whether U.S. troops will be able to withdraw next year.

Gen. George Casey, softening his previous comments that a "fairly substantial" pull out could begin next spring and summer, told lawmakers that troops could begin coming home from Iraq next year depending on conditions during and after the upcoming elections there.

"The next 75 days are going to be critical for what happens," Casey told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The Bush administration says training Iraqi security forces to defend their own country is the key to bringing home U.S. troops. But Republicans pressed Casey on whether the United States was backsliding in its efforts to train Iraqis.

In June, the Pentagon told lawmakers that three Iraqi battalions were fully trained, equipped and capable of operating independently. On Thursday, Casey said only one battalion is ready.

"It doesn't feel like progress," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.

[bluestateguy]

1. Don't worry. I'm sure the College Republicans will fill in

although we may need to send them some enlistment forms to nudge them along.

[K8-EEE]

2. Recommnded....THEY'RE MAKIN' PROGRESS!

At this rate they'll be the shining mideastern democracy on a hill - in about 500 years or so.

Or maybe not,

[Nickster]

3. WHAT? Only one stinking battalion? Heck I could have trained one

battalion by myself by now and for a lot less money. WTF?? How the heck did they come up with even less troops now?

[Rowdyboy]

4. This must be broadcast as loudly as we can....We're not making progress

In fact, we're going backwards. Recommended reading!

[Oreo]

5. To a repub... any kind of subtraction is progress

Does Susan Collins understand 1 battalion is less than 3 battalions?

[MADem]

6. Q os for QUAGMIRE, students!!!

Time to GO. Time to beg the UN to fill in, and slink the fuck out of there. It is an unmitigated DISASTER.

[Martin Eden]

7. Definition of Insanity

Keep doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.

How long will it take for them to understand that it's the presence of US troops on Islamic soil that fuels the insurgency? We've been there going on three years, things keep getting worse, and the solution is to keep doing the same thing until the situation improves?!!!:wtf:

[BringEmOn]

8. Then, how can they be used as cannon fodder against Iran?

[Connie_Corleone]

9. Keep up the good work, Bush.

Maybe if you work harder, you'll have NO Iraqi battalions.

:eyes:

[indepat]

10. Makes one wonder if three Iraqi battalions were every fully trained,

equipped and capable of operating capable or ever will be.

[NNN0LHI]

12. They probably were trained. Problem is they are on the other side now n/t

[Tom Joad]

11. Only rational response: U.S. troops out now!

Let no political leader, of any party, get away attempting to claim any other position

[bemildred]

13. One number pulled out of your ass is pretty much like another. nt

[Az_lefty]

14. What an utter failure...

we're never getting out of that fu*king country...