Iraq Drawdown 'On Schedule'

Haven’t heard anything about Iraq lately? That’s about to change. After several months spent focusing on domestic issues, President Obama is bringing attention back to the troop drawdown in Iraq, starting with a speech he’s delivering today to the Disabled American Veterans in Atlanta, saying, “Shortly after taking office, I announced our new strategy for Iraq and for a transition to full Iraqi responsibility. And I made it clear that by August 31, 2010, America’s combat mission in Iraq would end. And that is exactly what we are doing—as promised, on schedule." The New York Times points to a fact sheet issued by the White House that notes that with the drawdown in Iraq, the total number of troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan will have declined from 177,000 when he took office to 146,000 by the end of August. By the end of the month, the American contingent in Iraq will consist of just 50,000 troops—down from 144,000.