via NYTimes: The United States is planning a long-term military relationship with the emerging government of Iraq, one that would grant the Pentagon access to military bases and project American influence into the heart of the unsettled region, senior Bush administration officials say.

Paragraph nine is what is important here: "In a particularly important development, officials said the United States was likely to reduce American forces in Saudi Arabia, as well."

If you recall from this post The Agonist said: Here are a few key things to watch for in the short-to-medium term:

a.) Reduction in the US troop presence in Saudi Arabia.

So, Powell is going to Syria and the US is reducing its troop presence in Saudi Arabia.

More to come . . .