Let the withdrawal begin...

From the Post:

Barring any major surprises in Iraq, the Pentagon tentatively plans to reduce the number of U.S. forces there early next year by as many as three combat brigades, from 18 now, but to keep at least one brigade "on call" in Kuwait in case more troops are needed quickly, several senior military officers said.

Pentagon authorities also have set a series of "decision points" during 2006 to consider further force cuts that, under a "moderately optimistic" scenario, would drop the total number of troops from more than 150,000 now to fewer than 100,000, including 10 combat brigades, by the end of the year, the officers said.

In other words, "a gradual, phased reduction," not an immediate withdrawal; indeed, "administration officials say that military and political factors heavily constrain how fast U.S. forces should leave. They cite a continuing need to assist Iraq's fledgling security forces, ensure establishment of a permanent government, suppress the insurgency and reduce the potential for civil war."

This would seem to make a lot of sense. I've argued here before that America has a moral responsibility in Iraq and that the job needs to be finished -- meaning, Iraq needs to be left in a position to survive on its own, or mostly on its own, with a relatively stable, democratically-elected government and control over its own security without the risk, or as little risk as possible, of regressing into anarchy and civil war.

But what "political" factors will be considered? Indeed, is it not likely that the Bush Administration will politicize any such withdrawal in order to reverse the Republican Party's current slide and establish momentum going into next year's mid-term elections? Or to boost Bush's own sagging popularity?

One hopes that the right thing will be done and that various strategic factors will be considered, but cynicism -- a cynicism based on experience -- insists otherwise.

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Around the blogosphere:

Political Animal: "They can call this a 'rough rule of thumb' if they want, but it sure sounds like the Pentagon is adopting a set of measurable benchmarks for a phased withdrawal. This is almost precisely what John Kerry proposed last month, and what an RNC spokesman immediately slammed as a plan that would 'endanger American forces on the ground.' But politics aside, I sure hope they're serious about this. If it's done right, it's probably the best hope we have for a non-catastrophic outcome in Iraq.

Absolutely.

The Carpetbagger Report suggests sending apologies to Jack Murtha. Well, my Republican friends, will you?

See AMERICAblog, Preemptive Karma, One Hand Clapping, and, on the right, Captain's Quarters.