Iraq War troop levels

[Obi2Kenobi]

Every once in a while, I hear on the news that the troop levels have changed from 138K to 170K or whatever, so this got me wondering, just how many troops have we had in Iraq at any given time during this war? As I haven't found any compilation of this data in various Google searches, so I figured I'd start checking lots of news sources and using these as a guide to how it's fluctuated over the years. If anyone has any information to contribute, it would be really helpful. I'm interested in both U.S. forces and total forces involved. And no, despite what I'm sure someone is going to think, I'm not trying to make a political point here, or incite some sort of angry discussion, I just want to know.:)

[Benamang]

Here's one through December 2006: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/artic...6NGR4L1.DTL&o=1

[--Pete]

Hi,

Thanks, good info.

Got a chuckle out of May 1, 2003. Guess that among Shrub's other shortcomings, he doesn't know the difference between May first and April first. Which is a shame, given that on April first, we celebrate him and all his fellows.

--Pete

[Benamang]

Funny, the author seems to have some kind of crystal ball; he's even short! According to http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070807/pl_af...qmilitaryforces as of August 7 there are 162,000 US troops in Iraq.

Disclaimer: I support the "liberation" of the Iraqi people, but I ponder the cost in US lives and money. It seems to me that we are caught in a quagmire from which there is no clear exit. I think that no matter what we do, the country will likely degenerate into civil war and possibly anarchy; well, at least we tried...

[kandrathe]

Funny, the author seems to have some kind of crystal ball; he's even short! According to http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070807/pl_af...qmilitaryforces as of August 7 there are 162,000 US troops in Iraq.

Disclaimer: I support the "liberation" of the Iraqi people, but I ponder the cost in US lives and money. It seems to me that we are caught in a quagmire from which there is no clear exit. I think that no matter what we do, the country will likely degenerate into civil war and possibly anarchy; well, at least we tried...

Don't worry. We are still in those other quagmires Japan, Germany, South Korea, and the Balkans. Anyone notice how many troops are in Saudi Arabia lately? I think this guy understands.

[Obi2Kenobi]

I'm also interested to hear what you guys consider the important events in the war. I'm talking things like capturing Saddam, executing Saddam, and even more symbolic moments of larger pieces (toppling the statue of Saddam, Bush declaring "Mission Accomplished", and yes, the resignation of Colin Powel, the changing of various generals, and other such things). Basically, in 20 years, what will be the issues of most historical interest? Do you disagree with any of the things on my list?

Also, does anyone know of a site that has video clips, audio clips, and transcripts of U.S. officials talking about Iraq? I'm going to start checking out YouTube soon, but I'd imagine they don't have all of what I'd want.

[Occhidiangela]

I'm also interested to hear what you guys consider the important events in the war.

I'm talking things like capturing Saddam

Yes.

executing Saddam

No. That was a matter of Iraqi, mostly Shia and Kurd, catharsis.

(toppling the statue of Saddam

A moment whose emotional impact rapidly faded.

Bush declaring "Mission Accomplished"

A photo Op now used as a poke in the eye.

The resignation of Colin Powell

Some say it came too late. By the time he quit, it lost its impact.

The changing of various generals

Standard stuff

And other such things).

Fallujah and four bodies burned from a bridge.

The golden mosque in Samarra being bombed.

Al Sadr not being shot in August 2003.

The UN HQ bombing August 2003.

The IED, a hundred times over.

Bremmer snaeking out of Iraq, 28 June 2004.

Purple thumbs, the elections finally arrive. The people stand up and risk their lives to vote.

A few dozen car bombs that killed 50+ in market places.

Videos on the internet of cruel executions of various people by Jihadis

Occhi