Iraq Withdrawal Plans

Looks like the sieve that is the British government has leaked another memo. It's accuracy isn't being denied, but then they also seem to be saying that planning for such contingencies is only proper.

The British government document, published by the Mail on Sunday newspaper, said Washington is discussing plans to cut its force -- now nearly 140,000 -- to just 66,000 by the middle of next year. Britain would cut its own force to 3,000 from 8,500.

"Emerging U.S. plans assume 14 out of 18 provinces could be handed over to Iraqi control by early 2006," the memo said, although it made clear the U.S. military's tempo for troop cuts is not set in stone, with commanders still divided:

"There is, however, a debate between the Pentagon/Centcom, who favour a relatively bold reduction in force numbers and the multinational force in Iraq, whose approach is more cautious."

I wonder the effect of this information on the plans of the insurgency.