Obama gathering info on Iraq policy

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- President-elect Barack Obama's transition team says it's gathering information about U.S. troop presence in Iraq.

Dan Pfeiffer, spokesman for Obama's transition office, told USA Today Obama will meet with advisers and U.S. military leadership "to map out a responsible drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq along the pace and scope he outlined during the campaign."

Scholars at the Center for American Progress, a think-tank led by Obama's transition co-chairman John Podesta, have urged Obama to stay true to his campaign promise of a measured withdrawal, arguing that Iraqi politicians could delay difficult security decisions unless they know U.S. troops will be out by a specific date.

Advisers from the Center for a New American Security, meanwhile, say flexibility is needed for the timing and pace of the withdrawal. Their argument for flexibility is similar to those pressing for a measured withdrawal: It would avoid a security setback and give Iraqi politicians an incentive to pass legislation crucial to a long-term peace.

Outside observers say Obama may have to improvise in a way that might be expected. USA Today reported.

"Obama is going to find he has to chart a different course in Iraq than he campaigned on," says Reidar Visser, who runs the Iraq-focused Web site historiae.org.