Bush Moves Toward Increasing U.S. Troops in Iraq

Interview with David MacMichael, former CIA analyst, conducted by Scott Harris

In a post-election search for a new direction in his Iraq policy, President Bush not too subtly dismissed recommendations made by the Iraq Study Group led by former Republican Secretary of State James Baker which had proposed a draw down of American soldiers in Iraq beginning early in 2007. Now Bush is considering a temporary increase in the level of U.S troops there by as many as 30,000. The White House is expected to announce a new strategy for Iraq early in the New Year.

Conflicting news reports paint a picture of division among top brass at the Pentagon over for the so-called "surge" plan. The proposal to escalate the Iraq war, detailed in a paper titled, "Choosing Victory: A Plan for Success in Iraq," was authored by Frederick W. Kagan, a resident neoconservative scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.

While members of the Bush administration are reportedly closing ranks in support of the plan to pour new U.S. troops into Iraq, recent public opinion polls show an overwhelming majority of Americans oppose escalation of the war. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with former CIA analyst David MacMichael, who examines the "Surge" plan and the likely response from Democrats who take control of Congress in January.

David MacMichael serves on the steering group of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity. Read MacMichael's articles online at www.Counterpunch.org

Related links:

"Choosing Victory: A Plan for Success in Iraq," by Frederick W. Kagan

Download a copy of the Iraq Study Group Report

Bring Them Home Now at www.bringthemhomenow.org

Military Families Speak Out at www.mfso.org

United for Peace and Justice at www.unitedforpeace.org

International Answer at www.internationalanswer.org

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