Iraq and Troop Withdrawal Strategy

The Center for American Progress sponsored a discussion today on the logistics of a redeployment of American troops from Iraq. Speakers included Marine Corps Col. T.X. Hammes (Ret.), Army Lt. Col. John Nagl (Ret.), and Lawrence Korb, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress.

The full C-SPAN video of the panel discussion can be found here.

Also see the Center for American Progress report How to Redeploy: Implementing a Responsible Drawdown of US Forces from Iraq by Lawrence Korb, Sean Duggan and Peter Juul. The link has the full report plus a video produced by CAP on the report. Excerpt summary follows:

Some have asserted that a US military withdrawal from Iraq will take two years or more, but we believe it is not only possible, but necessary, to conduct a safe and responsible redeployment of US forces from Iraq in no more than 10 months. Our military can accomplish such a task, should it be assigned, if it uses all elements of US military power, focused on our land forces’ proficiencies in maneuver warfare and logistics.

There is significant disagreement and confusion about the time necessary to withdraw all US military forces from Iraq. Proponents of an indefinite US military presence in Iraq have asserted that a withdrawal of over 140,000 American troops and equipment would be fraught with risk, uncertainty, and overwhelming logistical complications. According to a recent ABC News piece, several commanders in Iraq stated that there was “no way” a withdrawal of one to two brigades per month could work logistically – although none of them agreed to be quoted on the record.

The debate over how to conduct an American withdrawal has gravitated back and forth between those arguing that there must be either a rapid, precipitous withdrawal, and those advocating for a long, drawn-out redeployment. Many who argue for an extended redeployment over several years do so simply in order to “stay the course” in Iraq, and cherry-pick logistical issues to make the case for an extended US presence.

Deciding between a swift or extended redeployment, however, is a false choice. Both options are logistically feasible, but this report will demonstrate that an orderly and safe withdrawal is best achieved over an 8 to 10 month period. This report, written in consultation with military planners and logistics experts, is not intended to serve as a playbook for our military planners; it is a guide to policymakers and the general public about what is realistically achievable. A massive, yet safe and orderly redeployment of US forces, equipment, and support personnel is surely daunting – but it is well within the exceptional logistical capabilities of the US military…