The Administration is planning on a gradual withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq but at levels and at a speed far below that desired by Congressional Democrats: The White House plans to use a report next month assessing progress in Iraq to outline a plan for gradual troop reductions beginning next year that would fall far short of the drawdown demanded by Congressional opponents of the war, according to administration and military officials.One administration official made it clear that the goal of the planned announcement was to counter public pressure for a more rapid reduction and to try to win support for a plan that could keep American involvement in Iraq on “a sustainable footing” at least through the end of the Bush presidency. The White House will unveil the new plan after General Petreaus gives his report to Congress in the middle of next month. The President is banking on encouraging news from Petreaus to extend the surge until March of next year.After...(Read Full Post)