Morning Brief: Bush to reduce U.S. troops in Iraq

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FILE; Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Speaking at the National Defense University, U.S. President George W. Bush will announce today the withdrawal of about 8,000 troops from Iraq by February 2009, according to prepared remarks released by the White House.

Under the president’s plan, up to 4,500 troops will head to Afghanistan to shore up the fight against the Taliban, which has gained strength in recent months. The shift would bring U.S. troop levels there to around 31,000.

“While the enemy in Iraq is still dangerous, we have seized the offensive,” the president will say. “Iraqi forces are becoming increasingly capable of leading and winning the fight. As a result, we have been able to carry out a policy of return on success — reducing American combat forces in Iraq as conditions on the ground continue to improve.”

The withdrawing troops include 3,400 combat support forces, a Marine battalion, and an Army combat brigade.

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