Possible Troop Drawdown in Iraq

Gen. George W. Casey, head of Multi-National Force Iraq, said there could be a "fairly substantial" reduction in U.S. forces in Iraq next spring or summer if the insurgency does not grow and the political process continues as scheduled.

Speaking in Baghdad on July 27 during a visit by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, Casey said the insurgency has not substantially increased within the past year. "The insurgents need to progress to survive, and this insurgency is not progressing."

Casey added that the insurgents have changed tactics, employing "more violent, more visible" attacks on softer civilian targets, which is "a no-win strategy for the insurgents."

One such …