Washington, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Another bout of wrestling between Republicans and Democrats began as U.S. Congress reopened for business earlier September, but this time, "compromise" was seen by each side as the strategy to win.

    It is foreseeable that the debate on U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq will escalate next week as American ambassador to Baghdad Ryan Crocker and top commander of U.S. troops in Iraq Gen. David Petraeus present the White House's assessment report on political and security process in Iraq when they attend hearings at the Senate.

U.S. President George W. Bush (R) speaks with General David Petraeus, the US commander in Iraq, upon arriving at Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar Province, Iraq, 03 September 2007. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)
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    President George W. Bush is also scheduled to address the nation to bolster resolve on Iraq, and counter the grief and opposition brought by the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

    Democratic-dominated Congress made the first strike earlier this week on Republican-led White House by releasing two reports saying the Iraqi government and security forces had achieved limited progress despite U.S. long-term and increasingly augmented military existence there.

    Under pressure by the White House, the first report from the Congressional "investigative arm," the Government Accountability Office, decided that the Iraqi government had met or half met seven of 18 goals set by Congress in May, instead of three in its initial draft.

    Another studies by an independent commission headed by Retired Marine Gen. James Johns showed a mixed picture about progress in Iraq, saying that "little" had been achieved there but setting a deadline for U.S. troop withdrawal would be against American national interest.

    The report, as Friday's New York Times said could lend ammunition to both parties, indeed, mirrors Democrats' willing to compromise on Iraq to win more votes of Republican lawmakers to pass a moderate bill on troop reduction from Iraq in the coming months.

    Although slightly outnumbering Republicans in the Senate, Democrats still need support from the rival camp to secure two-thirds of the total 100 votes for their bills on troop withdrawal timelines to avoid any likely filibuster and presidential veto.

U.S. soldiers patrol the outskirts of Baghdad, September 4. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)