Temperatures will continue to fall over the next few days

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President Barack Obama outlines his plans today for the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq, which will be accomplished by Aug. 31, 2010.   

According to senior administration officials, a substantial number of the roughly 100,000
U.S. combat troops to be pulled out of Iraq by Aug. 31, 2010, will
remain in the war zone through at least the end of this year to
ensure national elections there go smoothly. 

That pacing suggests that although Obama's promised withdrawal
will start soon, it will be backloaded, with larger numbers of
troops returning later in the 18-month time frame.
     

 Obama is to announce his strategy today at the sprawling Camp
Lejeune in North Carolina, where thousands of Marines are soon
heading to another war front, Afghanistan.
     

 The administration now considers Aug. 31, 2010, the end date for
Iraq war operations.

Gallery

Thomas Ricks at the Commonwealth Club

And the band played on ... in Iraq

Minnesota Red Bulls pack their bags for Iraq

President Barack Obama outlines his plans for the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq, during a speech at Camp LeJeune Marine Base in North Carolina. The administration now considers Aug. 31, 2010, the end date for Iraq war operations.

President Obama outlines plan for Iraq troop withdrawal

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