Top News #2

Let the withdrawal in Iraq begin.

Today on Capitol Hill, Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. general in Iraq, outlined a plan to withdrawal 30,000 troops by next summer. Last winter, a change in strategy made by Petraeus by means of building up more U.S. troops in Iraq were able to meet military objectives "in a large measure." After the only other person to testify before Congress, Ambassador Ryan Crocker, said 2006 was a "bad year for Iraq. The country came close to unraveling politically, economically and in secure terms. 2007 has brought improvement." With the improvements from 2006 to 2007 and the recent decline in incidents in the past few weeks led Petraeus to his decision. But in conjuration with the withdrawal, in mid-December, an Army brigade between 3,500-4,000 would be sent out to Iraq.

This story has huge news values that cover impact, timeliness, prominence, and proximity. All the families that have sons, daughters, wives, husbands, etc. in the armed forces now might have them come home from Iraq in the near future. This story has an impact locally and on a national scale as armed forces from across the country live all over the place.

Original story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070910/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq;_ylt=As4js2u7sXuwQYTSti4zeNms0NUE