Military officials have stressed that residual, noncombat forces would focus on supplies and logistics to protect U.S. interests in the region.
CNN: Obama to pull combat troops from Iraq by August 2010
2.
The readiness of the residual U.S. forces is "suffering" as a result of reduced training, undermanning, excessive deployments and declining morale.
CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: "THE U.S. CAN NO LONGER AFFORD RECKLESS 'PEACE DIVIDENDS'"
3.
There is discussion, however, of keeping a residual force there to help train security forces and conduct counterterrorism operations against al Qaeda.
CNN: Obama, Karzai agree to accelerate military transition