The Logic of Eternal Intervention, Iraq Division

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The Washington Post's omniscient voice explains the other day, with the dull calm of the serious parent explaining why you just have to keep on picking up after your little brother, why foreign intervention is a veritable Hotel Iraq, from which one can check out anytime one likes, but one can never leave:

According to an agreement negotiated by the Bush administration, all U.S. troops are to leave Iraq by the end of 2011. Though many expected that the two governments would negotiate a follow-on agreement for a limited American deployment, both Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Obama have said repeatedly that they intend to stick to the plan. If they do, military experts warn, next year Iraq will lack critical defense capacities: It will be unable to defend its airspace or borders, protect oil shipments or platforms in the Persian Gulf, or partner with U.S. special forces in raids against al-Qaeda……

After the thousands of American lives lost and billions spent, it would be tragic if Iraq collapsed again into war or fell prey to Iran or other neighbors because of a security vacuum created by the U.S. withdrawal. Officials say that the White House has not ruled out the negotiation of a follow-on military presence. But the administration's position is that any such proposal must come from the Iraqi government.

For the moment, that doesn't look likely…..

With time running out, the United States should be looking for ways to get around this impasse. A NATO training mission already operates in Iraq and could be extended and expanded; so could a planned U.S. office of defense cooperation. At a minimum, U.S. officials and commanders should be briefing Iraq political leaders on the consequences of a full American withdrawal and disabusing them of any illusions that Mr. Obama will come forward with an initiative. If Mr. Maliki does bring himself to propose a new force agreement, it's likely he will delay as long as he can. The administration should be prepared to respond to a last-minute initiative.

Please, Mr. Maliki, the fate of Obama's being able to renege on his promises and mire us in an unaffordable occupation for all eternity is in your hands. Don't let us down. Remember who made you who you are today.