Report: Pentagon ready to go for 'surge' of up to 20,000

CBS/AP) Military commanders have told President Bush they are prepared to execute a troop surge that would put about 9,000 soldiers and Marines into Iraq with another 11,000 on alert outside the country, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin.

Two Army brigades — about 7,500 troops — would go into Baghdad. Two Marine battalions — about 1,500 troops — would be sent into the western province of al Anbar, heartland of the insurgency, although the commandant of the Marine Corps was recently quoted as saying he didn't see a need for more battalions.

Another Army brigade would be on standby in Kuwait, with two more on standby in the U.S.

Martin reports that Pentagon officials are certain the president will order a troop surge, but they caution the details could change between now and the time he unveils his new Iraq strategy next week.

Read the rest at CBS News

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