The Battle Over the Surge Option

In October 2006, President Bush ordered national security adviser Stephen J. Hadley to undertake a secret, under-the-radar review of the Iraq war strategy. The review, which triggered a contentious debate, led to a plan for a 2007 troop "surge" of five brigades -- about 30,000 combat and support troops -- to Iraq. Here, at a glance, is a guide to the various factions and their points of view.