The top US commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, is claiming he might recommend further troop cuts later this summer. General Petraeus appeared Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Gen. David Petraeus: “My sense is that I will be able to make a recommendation at that time for some further reductions. I don’t want to imply that that means a BCT [Brigade Combat Team] or a major combat formation, although it could, but I do believe that there will be certain assets that — as we are already looking at the picture right now — we’ll be able to recommend can be either redeployed or not deployed to the theater in the fall.”

Any troop cut is expected to be limited in size. General Petraeus came under protest from the peace group Code Pink. Activists chanted, “Americans want peace” and “Bring the troops home,” as Petraeus spoke.