Courageous Iraqis have cast their votes - now, will they get a functioning government? McDermid apparently believes it may work out. "There were signs that Iraq could be poised to enter a post-election period of stability with a government no longer dominated by ethno-sectarian quotas or requiring the 100,000 US combat troops still stationed in the country." - www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/LC09Ak03.html

But that would not please the imperialists, who would have us believe that a strong military presence in Iraq is necessary for regional stability. ". . . it's a good bet that powerful people in the U.S. military will whisper in Obama's ear that U.S. troop withdrawals must be slowed down, and that the SOFA must be reupholstered." ". . . the U.S. will need 30,000 to 50,000 troops in Iraq for a long time if it wants to avoid a civil war that drags in the entire region." -
www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/...obamas-iraq-dilemma/

And then there are those of us who believe the whole place is going to hell in a handbasket regardless of whether or not there is a non-Islamic imperial occupying force in Iraq. So why not bail and let the Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds, etc. sort things out for themselves?

atimes.com: atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/LC09Ak03.html -----------

atimes.net: www.atimes.net/Iraq/now-the-hard-part-for-iraq-and-the-us.html

I dont know what makes jim to call these people "courageous"who after left to their own devices buy gases and lethal weapons to kill their innocent people.One Iraqi surmises that Allawi possesses powerful personality of that wretch Saddam.The problem with these people is that they suffer from acute form of paranoia and magalomania.The ordinary people of arab countries dream of a strong man,a messianic figure or deliverer.They share this defective personality trait with their cousins jews.These people dont think about strengthning their institutions,restoring democracy,freedom of press and women etc.They live in the past and their future lies only in either hell or paradise.Unless they change their collective psych things cant change in this stretch of desert called mid-east.USA must keep vigil here as these will resort to old satanic mischeif "the Fasad fil Ard".

Actually, the hard part is over and the long ago promised cake walk begins.

No thanks of course to Bush, who was lame-ducked shortly after his re-election. Or Cheney who was ultimately defanged and made harmless within the vice presidency. Least of all the neoconservatives who followed Rumsfeld into the 'wildernous' of ignominious retirement and irrelevance in the foreign policy making community by the mid point of Bush's second term.

Ironically, had not the Bush regime & co been routed by foreign policy 'realists' and progressives, all the whining and defeatism exemplified in the above posts would have come true. But the authors of defeat were made impotent and/or expelled, and in only 2 short years victory was snatched from the certain jaws of defeat.

This drives that tiny faction on the far left of US politics totally irrational to the point of madness. Especially when loser Bushites and other sordid companions falsely claim the mantle of righteous victory.

The 'ster pridefully trumpets his past and present support for the Bush/Cheney imperial US policies in Iraq. He will conveniently ignore the ongoing sectarian slaughter going on there. The only "victory" for the US will take place when there are no non-Muslim military forces in Iraq.

Top U.S. General in Iraq: possible ‘2000-3000′ troops in Iraq after 2011

trueslant.com/michaelhastings/2010/03/09...-in-iraq-after-2011/

...More reporting needed, to be sure. That being said, I spoke to Iraq’s Interior Minister on Sunday about the future U.S. troop presence. He said he was open to the idea, and the kind of things he said were needed would seem to require more than 2,000 to 3,000 troops. Also, Ayad Jamal Aldin, an Iraqi Shiite parliamentarian, made the point that Iraq won’t be able to defend itself against Iran by the end of 2011–an argument sure to get traction in foreign policy circles with an ideological bent that almost rhymes with “beingwrong.” Ayad said he thinks there should be more than just a token force of Americans here...

As the article affirms another long standing belief of mine, that Iraqis will be far less enthusiastic about a total US troop withdrawal than Americans. Come 31 Dec 2011 the loudest screaming among all Iraqis will be: "AMERICA - DON'T GO"

So Iraq's Interior Minister wants to keep a few thousand American troops around. That's sure less than the amount Robster used to advocate. Sorry about that. But that's OK. To prevent a complete abrogation of US imperialistic presence in Iraq, I'm going to ask a former Marine Lance Corporal of my close acquaintance to deploy his fire team over there. The Iraqis will no doubt be grateful.

Another sloppy lie by the moron regarding the Iraqi Interior Minister, when he reportedly is said to want MORE than a "few thousand American troops around." Some Iraqi governing officials apparently feel comfortable enough advocating a strong and continuing US presence in the country post 31 Dec 2011.

The number I predicted, not advocated was at the minimum of at least 1 combat brigade in addition to the Training and Assistance Command personnel that will also be deployed in-country after the US withdrawal. The 2 to 3,000 troops that Odierno has in mind just so happens to be just shy of the maximum 3500 combat strength of a brigade.

We are favored yet again with another of Robster's infamous "predictions." As usual, he confuses what he wishes for (in this case, an imperial military presence in Iraq), with reality (the uncertainties involved in relations with a divided society - Iraq). It's consistent with his constant "bad bad Bush"harangues paired with his abject support for the Bush/Cheney-inspired military presence in the Middle East.

On the other hand, I wish for a total withdrawal of all American ground forces from West Asia. I'm not delusional to the degree that I would predict that will happen. I'll leave wild-ass predicting for the 'ster. While I have always believed President Obama's declared intent to withdraw all US ground forces, I recognize that politicians don't always do what they say they will do.

Robster and Jim,

You both express dissafection with US policy. Ignoring Iraq for a monment and running your minds back over all issues, could either of you tell me which Administration within your lifetimes meets your highest overall approval?