Iraq

It occurs to me that all this stuff we hear about Iraq failing to step up to its reponsibilities obscurs the fact that in the minds of people like Maliki and his Shiite government they are already preparing themselves for when we leave and so therefore need the militias of Sadr and others to protect their leadership once we're gone. The simple fact is, whether we leave this year, next year or in 10 years, once we're gone the fundamental security of the Shiite ruling class will be threatened just as it is now so they need the support of Iran and others if they're to quell the restless Sunnis. All this is to say, it makes no difference how long we stay on in some failed quest to get them to "live up to their responsibilities" (which were really our responsibilities that we sort of fucked up) because they are already preparing for what comes when we're gone and they don't have American protection.