Generals in Iraq to request surge of troops

LA Times/Houston Chronicle:

Top U.S. military commanders in Iraq have decided to recommend a "surge" of fresh American combat forces, eliminating one of the last remaining hurdles to proposals being considered by President Bush for a troop increase, a defense official familiar with the plan said Friday.

The approval of a troop increase plan by top Iraq commanders, including Gen. George W. Casey Jr. and Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, comes days before Bush unveils a new course for the troubled U.S. involvement in Iraq. Bush still must address concerns among some Pentagon officials and overcome opposition from Congress, where many Democrats favor a blue-ribbon commission's recommendation for a gradual withdrawal of combat troops.

The recommendation by the commanders in Iraq is significant because Bush has placed prime importance on their advice. The U.S. command in Iraq decided to recommend an increase of troops several days ago, prior to meetings in Baghdad this week with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the defense official said.

...

The defense official said commanders have not determined the exact number of extra troops they will request. Military officers have debated an increase of about 20,000, about five extra combat brigades. While some officers think five extra brigades would be difficult to muster, others say more troops will be needed.

"People are warming to the realization that some sort of surge is necessary," said another military official.

...
Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno is considered a tough guy whose troops tolerated no non sense in the intiial occupation of Iraq in the Tikrit area when he was commander of the 4th ID. He was criticized for their actions in Fiasco, but evidently it has not slowed his career. Gen. Casey's change of opinion is interesting. It probably reflects the ambiguity of whether additional troops are the answer and how much it will set back a transition to Iraqi control. The Iraqis have indicated that they have no objection to the surge.

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