A well-known Turkish daily reports that the United States has revised force deployment plans for Turkey downward. If true, the new plans could reshape the entire U.S. war effort, refocusing most of the fighting in southern Iraq. Analysis
The United States might need to revise its war-planning strategy, refocusing the thrust of any offensive into southern Iraq: The Bush administration reportedly has pared down a request to deploy 80,000 soldiers to Turkey to a mere 15,000, seeking to improve chances for Ankara's cooperation, according to a Jan. 15 report in Turkish daily Hurriyet.
U.S. military officials declined to comment on the report when contacted by Stratfor.
The United States might need to revise its war-planning strategy, refocusing the thrust of any offensive into southern Iraq: The Bush administration reportedly has pared down a request to deploy 80,000 soldiers to Turkey to a mere 15,000, seeking to improve chances for Ankara's cooperation, according to a Jan. 15 report in Turkish daily Hurriyet.
U.S. military officials declined to comment on the report when contacted by Stratfor.
A force reduction of this size in Turkey would minimize the possibility of a U.S. invasion into northern Iraq. It also would reshape any northern drive to seize Mosul and Kirkuk: The army in this case could attempt to secure a line up to - but not necessarily including - these cities, unless resistance is nominal.
With fewer U.S. troops based in Turkey - and subsequently fewer available for invading northern Iraq - resistance from Iraqi troops in the south could be hotter than previously anticipated.
With fewer U.S. troops based in Turkey - and subsequently fewer available for invading northern Iraq - resistance from Iraqi troops in the south could be hotter than previously anticipated.