I don’t think I need to tell you all that I read quite a few liberal blogs. I try to peep at the guys on my list (even if I don’t comment too often), but also the major players. I noticed that two of them had a story concerning this Washington Post article about future military involvement in Iraq, suggesting that a massive scaledown is likely in the next year and a half, culminating in a smaller presence that will remain for quite some time.

First we have ThinkProgress, with the following:

Military said to be embracing Korea model. Sunday’s Washington Post front-pages a story entitled “Military Envisions Longer Stay in Iraq.” The article states military officials are simultaneously planning for a drawdown and a “smaller, longer-term force that would remain in the country for years“

In this case, the site focuses on the future end of things. That there will be a presence in Iraq for years much as there was in Korea. Over on AmericaBlog, the sentiment is slightly different: US military planning to withdraw next year, whether we win or lose. This time around, the focal point is on the seeming contradiction. I find it interesting that one passes over the scaling down, and the other passes over the future presence.

Regardless, there’s one thing that leaps out of this story at me, let’s see if you see it as well.

Military officials, many of whom would be interviewed only on the condition of anonymity, say they are now assessing conditions more realistically, rejecting the “steady progress” mantra of their predecessors and recognizing that short-term political reconciliation in Iraq is unlikely. A reduction of troops, some officials argue, would demonstrate to anti-American factions that the occupation will not last forever while reassuring Iraqi allies that the United States does not intend to abandon the country.

…

Even if a total pullout is the goal, it could take a year to execute a full withdrawal. One official estimated that with only one major route from the country — through southern Iraq to Kuwait — it would take at least 3,000 large convoys some 10 months to remove U.S. military gear and personnel alone, not including the several thousand combat vehicles that would be needed to protect such an operation.

Okay, first point is that we need to pull out because that sends the message to Iraq that we won’t stay forever, the second is that a total withdrawal is neither desirable nor feasible. Do either of those points sound familiar?

They should. I made the first point here, and then here again. The second point is something I’ve been clamoring about for some time as well (no, I can’t pull up a link, sorry to disappoint). Not new ideas there, folks, although the addition of “reassure them we won’t abandon them” is new.

Man, looking all those up made me realize I need to spend more time writing these. I was really inspired to pound out long, thought-provoking articles last year. Maybe I’m bitter and jaded now.