Robert Gates actually said...

We think that's in our national interest, to do so.

the conditions, the improved conditions that you referred to, in Iraq have allowed for the early withdrawal of at least one brigade

The July 2011 date is the date on which we begin to transfer authority and responsibility to Afghan security forces.

the date of July 2011 to begin thinning our forces and transitioning the security responsibilities to the Afghans is a firm date that the Pr...