Gates: 35000 soldiers to remain in Iraq long-term

Under the cover of the New Hampshire Democratic debate, Defense Secretary Robert Gates addressed a Senate panel.  When pressed, he admitted that the Administration is seeking to establish a long-term presence in Iraq.  It will consist of 5 brigades -- at least 3500 soldiers per brigade -- conducting combat operations.

But according to the New York Times, twice as many soldiers will have to back up those five brigades, bringing the grand total of troops needed to around 35,000:

A combat brigade has 3,500 to 4,500 soldiers, leaving a minimum of17,500 combat troops in Iraq under the plan Mr. Gates described. Thetotal American force required would probably end up being at leasttwice that, because of the need for support troops and other relatedpersonnel.

In related news, Gates and Bush are asking Congress for another $192 billion to continue the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  That is an increase of $42 billion from last year.