A New Consensus on Iraq

This shows that it is really time to reveal what the democrats really are: liars who wave the flag of democracy and then turn around and commit the same crimes as the Republicans do.

Iraqi PM supports Timetable for Withdrawal

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has reversed his previous stance, and is now calling for a timetable for US troop withdrawal. And he's doing more than just calling for a withdrawal - Robert Dreyfuss of The Nation reports that he will likely attempt to link a timetable to the ongoing debates about the US "status of forces" agreement currently being discussed between US and Iraqi officials.

The UN mandate for the US in Iraq - what gives the US tentative legal authority to be in Iraq is set to expire in December, and US and Iraqi officials have been attempting to come to an accord that will keep US forces in Iraq after that time for a number of months now.

Initial US demands included total immunity for both US troops and private contractors, the construction of over 50 military bases (some permanent) and the ability to conduct military operations within Iraq without either informing or receiving the consent of the Iraqi government. In addition, the United States hopes to control Iraqi airspace up to 35,000 feet.

Iraqis understandably view many of these conditions as untenable, and a direct violation of their sovereignty. With only 5 months left until the end of the UN mandate, US officials are working overtime to try to maintain a lasting presence in Iraq, and craft an agreement which could conceivably limit future presidents' abilities to withdraw all troops from Iraq.