The Bush administration is considering withdrawal of additional combat forces from Iraq beginning in September.


A factor behind the consideration is need for additional troops in Afghanistan, where the Taliban have intensified insurgency, increasing the number of casualties on Afghan and American-led forces.


By the time George Bush leaves office, at least one or as many 3 to 15 combat brigades could be called back or be scheduled for withdrawal.


Though no decision has yet been taken, the desire to move quickly on this front reflects the growing view in Pentagon, which wants to release more troops for Afghanistan and other potential missions.


Gen David H Petraeus, the American commander in Iraq, has already begun the review of security and troop levels and officials said that he was more likely to recommend a smaller reduction, but still a withdrawal.


Last year, Bush accepted Petraeus's recommendation to gradually call back the five extra combat brigades that he ordered to Iraq.


If the withdrawals continued at the same pace, roughly one every 45 days, three more brigades could leave Iraq by the end of Bush's presidency.