>>But note the difference in the context. Soldiers are mentioned when it's supposed to be personal, with a story. When it comes to numbers or generalized image of a member of armed forces, he's a troop, as in "expected to withdraw roughly 10000 U.S. troops".
>
>Interesting point and I agree with that last bit..

Now I notice another minor point in the quoted bit... are the troops (or soldiers, for that matter) ever withdrawn gently?