The Iraq to Afghanistan Shuffle

President Bush said Thursday that falling violence levels in Iraq should allow troop withdrawals there to continue. The result would be shorter tours of duty and the potential to shift forces to Afghanistan. Attacks on U.S. forces in Afghanistan have increased as much as 40% compared with last year, according to NATO. Commanders there have sought more troops, and the Pentagon may send hundreds more by fall. Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has said that three 3,500-troop brigades are needed in Afghanistan. But those forces will only be available when more are pulled from Iraq. Progress in Iraq, while potentially reversible, has a "degree of durability," Bush said. July's total of 10 U.S. troops deaths were the war's lowest. Also, Bush said, Iraqi security forces have improved and have led successful operations against Shiite insurgents. They are also fighting al-Qaeda militants north of Baghdad.