I think there will be a withdrawal immediately; in fact a series of withdrawals. first, individual provinces will be turned over to the Iraqis. This is already happening. Secondly, US forces will be withdrawn to bases in the desert, outside of populated places. This is being negotiated in the SOF. Third and lastly, forces may be withdrawn out of theater.

Each of these is a different type of withdrawal, with different purposes. It is not, as some would understand it, simply a problem of where to wash vehicles so that they can be evacuated in compliance with cleanliness regulations.

Obama has said he would “consult” with the commanders and modify his timetable. Presumably he’ll ask the logistical questions at that time. Presumably he’ll ask the strategic questions at that time. Or maybe not. It seems his strategy is settled with the object of ‘ending the war’.

I can see how the whole discussion of logistics can actually be considered illegitimate; as if it were some kind of annoying detail. And to some extent it is, but how leaders approach the problem speaks volumes about the way in which they think.