Rotation Timing

For a long time, I've noted that if we were planning to do something in Iran in the spring of 2005, we could cover the troop build up with a troop rotation that overlaps troops temporarily to increase our troop strength in Iraq. Even though a straight invasion isn't in the cards because our ground forces are too small, if we are supporting a revolt in Iran we could use a few brigades from Iraq to bolster the Iranian rebels.

And now we have news that the military will extend troops in Iraq and deploy some extra temporarily so we will have extra forces in Iraq in early 2005:

This approved request adds an additional 1,500 active duty soldiers, and extends approximately 10,400 active duty combat forces, which includes 2,300 Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit off of the ESSEX Expeditionary Strike Group. This extension is in conjunction with the current force rotation, and will increase the U. S. forces in theater from 17 to 20 brigades, increasing the force size in Iraq to approximately 150,000 personnel during the election period.

Well, that is a three brigade increase. And how long will they be there?

Takes them to the beginning of March to mid-March. And you know, you got to -- you got to spread it out 'cause they call can't come out at once, so it's about that time.

Mid-March, you say? Our Strategic Petroleum Reserve should be filled up by April 1st, I think.

Not that three extra brigades won't be useful for protecting the elections, but three extra brigades could be useful for other purposes, too.

Like regime change in Iran in support of a new Iranian revolution?