Confessions of a Hawk
Even though the press room at the White House suspects it might just be a transcription error from one of those journalists, the Iraqi government has indicated in no uncertain terms that is wants a firm withdrawal date for American troops, and that no security deal will be reached without one.
Well, maybe some uncertain terms.
That security deal with the US is first dependent on Iraq having security responsibility in all 18 of its provinces (currently it controls nine), and even after the withdrawal the security situation will be subject to biannual scrutiny for another 3-5 years, which means that this “timetable” is less of a quick break-up and more of a long, painful divorce, replete with counseling, endless fees, community property, and jealous interloper anxiety.
Of course if there is one lesson from the Iraq war that one would hope to take hold, it is that wartime flexibility is a necessity, adjustments to changing conditions need to occur as those conditions change. Former Bush speechwriter David Frum, in some small way contributed to the Iraq catastrophe, and now having learned his lesson, recognizes flexibility’s importance, and knows there is no easy way out.
