Iraq troop levels

According to a recent AP story, Defense Secretary Robert Gates has testified that we could begin withdrawing troops from Iraq this year. Says Gates, "I think if we see some very positive progress and it looks like things are headed in the right direction, then that's the point at which I think we can begin to consider reducing some of these forces."

Sounds good to me. But what say you, Gen. Odierno, our day-to-day operations commander in Iraq? According to you, as quoted the Washington Post, the increase in U.S. troops to a force of around 160,000 "needs to go through the beginning of next year for sure."

Back to you, Secretary Gates -- how can these two views be reconciled? "I think the candid answer is they don't."

Well, at least our new defense secretary is up front about the inner confusion.