The pace of the U.S. military drawdown in Iraq has been accelerated by the Bush administration, according to the New York Times: “The Bush administration is considering the withdrawal of additional combat forces from Iraq beginning in September, according to administration and military officials, raising the prospect of a far more ambitious plan than expected only months ago.” The reasons given are to help support the flagging effort in Afghanistan and improved security conditions in Iraq. But the reality is this pace for drawing down troops was broadcast last year by General David Petraeus during his September testimony to Congress. General Petraeus even presented a slide to highlight the proposed drawdown, which has always been based on security conditions.