Rummy is slotting about 92k troops for next year, down from 160,000 in January of next year b/c of the elections. THis is situation dependant though. But this year on average there were 140k troops there. So, we may begin to see a gradual withdrawl. The Iraqis are hopeful, they already have 210k police/military 'trained'; most of them are as good as any country in the region I suspect, and a few of them are probably better, thanks to US arms and instructions. There is alot of good news, and the draw down should go on schedule, unless there is an uptick in violence. But the main thing is that Iraqis are getting sick of the terrorists, and more and more Iraqi troops are trained every day, while the number of insurgents decreases everyday due to blowing themselves up or getting shot or captured. There is an end in sight.

Speaking of end in sight, I just got the official school annoucement of my defense. It's always wierd to see those things of yourself in public. But this is a long (long long long) awaited event. My 'practice' seminar last week friday went well, and i think i'm in good shape. Now for these last few experiments and manuscript writing.