July 23, 2007, 10:50PM
U.S. foresees 2 more years in IraqClassified plans do not explicitly address troop level

By MICHAEL R. GORDONNew York Times
BAGHDAD, IRAQ — While Washington is mired in political debate over Iraq, the American command here has prepared a detailed plan that foresees a significant American role for the next two years.

The classified plan, which represents the coordinated strategy of the top American commander and the American ambassador, calls for restoring security in local areas, including Baghdad, by the summer of 2008. "Sustainable security" is to be established on a nationwide basis by the summer of 2009, according to officials familiar with the document.

The detailed document, known as the Joint Campaign Plan, is an elaboration of the new strategy President Bush signaled in January when he decided to send five additional American combat brigades and other units to Iraq. That marked a shift from the previous strategy, which emphasized transferring to Iraqis the responsibility for safeguarding security.

That new approach put a premium on protecting the Iraqi population in Baghdad, on the theory that improved security would provide Iraqi political leaders with breathing space to attempt political reconciliation.

The latest plan does not explicitly address troop levels or withdrawal schedules. It anticipates a decline in American forces as the "surge" in troops runs its course later this year or in early 2008. But it nonetheless assumes continued American involvement to train soldiers, act as partners with Iraqi forces, and fight terrorist groups in Iraq.

Given the immensity of the challenge of dealing with die-hard Sunni insurgents, renegade Shiite militias, Iraqi leaders who have made only fitful progress toward political reconciliation, as well as Iranian and Syrian neighbors who have not hesitated to interfere in Iraq's affairs, the goals in the document appear ambitious.

The plan, developed by Gen. David Petraeus, the senior American commander, and Ryan Crocker, the American ambassador, has been briefed to Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. William J. Fallon, head of the Central Command. It is expected to be formally issued to officials here this week.


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