Under The Gun
The U.S. exit strategy hangs on whether Iraq's new government can, in fact, govern
The U.S. military has been working feverishly to increase the numbers of Iraqi security forces, but the police remain beset by doubts about their loyalties. At the same time, the Iraqi Army is largely a force of "rifle battalions," in the words of one senior U.S. official. "What they're not capable of doing is the whole spectrum of military activities," says Jeffrey. The Iraqis have no heavy armor or artillery and remain dependent on the U.S. military for just about every function other than pulling a trigger--everything from transport and supplies to intelligence and medical services.
Even when Iraqi units take the lead, U.S. troops will most likely remain in place at least for a while to provide support. They are also expected to maintain rapid-reaction forces should the Iraqis run into trouble. "The departure, when it takes place, will be in stages," says Khalilzad. "We will be testing on the impact and what the conditions are." In other words, U.S. troops will probably stay in Iraq for at least several more years.
With Ben Gilbert in Baghdad and Linda Robinson
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