As Iraqi forces gain experience and the political process advances, we will be able to decrease our troop level in Iraq without losing our capability to defeat the terrorists. These decisions about troop levels will be driven by the conditions on the ground in Iraq and the good judgment of our commanders, not by artificial timetables set by politicians in Washington.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Troop levels will decrease based on local conditions and commander judgment rather than fixed political schedules.
- In plain terms
- We will reduce troops when conditions allow, guided by commanders not politicians.
- What can you take from it?
- Military strategy should depend on ground realities, not political deadlines.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who should decide military timelines?
- Can political timelines ever align with military needs?
Another view
Focusing on conditions may lead to indefinite engagement if conditions never improve.
More from George W. Bush
We do not torture.
Permalink to quote #194 There was no evidence that Saddam Hussein was involved with the attack of 9/11, I've never said that and never made that case prior to going into Iraq.[74]
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Permalink to quote #193
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