Quote:
Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
(2) I read last week that senior generals wanted something like 250,000 troops,* and that the smaller number came from civilians at the top of DoD. If I get bored, perhaps I'll try to find the story.
* eta/stp: Not Shinseki -- he testified that even more would be needed, as I recall.
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That was Shalikashvili -- Chairman of the JCS at the time (about March, 2003). He testified to Congress that roughly 1/4 million U.S. troops would be needed for up to five years to stabilize Iraq. The Pentagon (i.e. Runsfeld's office) very publicly disagreed immediately thereafter.
IIRC, Shalikashvili was moved out of his post soon thereafter and replaced with General Meyers. I'm not clear on whether that had been previously scheduled (in reality, as opposed to spin).
S_A_M
