"Diamond opposes a snap withdrawal from Iraq, but he believes the U.S. has to be clear about eventual plans to leave, and that means no permanent military bases. He argues exiting will require more troops on the ground and a heavier financial commitment."

"LONDON: Britain's Defence Ministry has drafted plans for a significant troop withdrawal from Iraq over the next 18 months and a big deployment to Afghanistan, according to The Financial Times.

Without citing sources, the newspaper said the plans represented the biggest operational shake-up involving Britain's armed forces since the Iraq war.

"The first stage of a run-down in military operations is likely to take place this (northern) autumn with a handover of security to Iraqis in at least two southern provinces," the newspaper said.

The pullout depended on the ability of Iraq's home-grown security forces to take over responsibility for peacekeeping operations - a job they have so far failed in violent areas in Baghdad and to the north. "
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,15834882%255E2703,00.html
[linked by http://www.baghdad.com/]

Like I said before, Afghanistan will probably require a longer commitent of troops than Iraq. The reason is fairly simple, Iraq is a richer country and can afford to build it's own strong miltary. If things continue to go well in Iraq, the US will probably withdraw it's forces in similar timescale as Brits, if thing worsen for some reason, then it could be delayed a year or two. [It's unlikely things will worsen because action taken by terrorists, they have already given their best effort and are failing, whereas actions taken by Iraqis could delay or worsen situation or significant actions taken by countries in region could worsen situations- but more likely political action or inaction by Iraqis themselves will be biggest factor.]

As far as increasing troop levels, we have already done this by training Iraqi security forces. As far as increasing finanical commitment this has already occurred and the Iraqi economy is booming.