Does Rumsfeld Favor Getting U.S. Troops out of Iraqi Inhabited Areas?

by Daniel Pipes
Sun, 3 Dec 2006
updated Wed, 6 Dec 2006

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In a November 6, 2006, memo by Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, "Iraq — Illustrative New Courses of Action," he provides a range of options that could contribute to a "major readjustment" in United States policy. Two of his "above the line" proposals (that is to say, attractive ones) directly bear on my idea of removing the forces from inhabited areas, but not from the theater:

Position substantial U.S. forces near the Iranian and Syrian borders to reduce infiltration and, importantly, reduce Iranian influence on the Iraqi Government.
Withdraw U.S. forces from vulnerable positions — cities, patrolling, etc. — and move U.S. forces to a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) status, operating from within Iraq and Kuwait, to be available when Iraqi security forces need assistance.

Comment: One wonders why this obvious path has not been tried earlier. (December 3, 2006)

Dec. 4, 2006 update: According to national security adviser Stephen J. Hadley, Bush is considering a "laundry list of ideas" from Rumsfeld's Nov. 6 memo.

Related Topics: Iraq, US policy

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America's stomach [w/response] [137 words]	jennifer Solis	Aug 25, 2007 14:00
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Reporting of American Casualties and the negative impact on Americans [319 words]	Lou Marsten	Jan 1, 2007 14:15
transformation/what rumsfeld wanted [256 words]	Allison Coates	Dec 18, 2006 16:46
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UK does it [74 words]	Vijay	Dec 3, 2006 15:38
Don is still using Veitnam era tactics [203 words]	American Muslim	Dec 3, 2006 13:04

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