How soon after inaugurated will Pres. Obama submit the Iraq Status of Forces Agreement to Congress

. . . as he promised:

Obama and Biden believe any Status of Forces Agreement, or any strategic framework agreement, should be negotiated in the context of a broader commitment by the U.S. to begin withdrawing its troops and forswearing permanent bases. Obama and Biden also believe that any security accord must be subject to Congressional approval. It is unacceptable that the Iraqi government will present the agreement to the Iraqi parliament for approval—yet the Bush administration will not do the same with the U.S. Congress. The Bush administration must submit the agreement to Congress or allow the next administration to negotiate an agreement that has bipartisan support here at home and makes absolutely clear that the U.S. will not maintain permanent bases in Iraq.

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/iraq/

no word on congressional approval or a 'new' agreement yet

. . . according to this report:

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000002992171

I used to think we were going to leave. I would still like to leave. But I am starting to think that we may never be leaving.

I asked in a post a week or so how exactly do we get out of Iraq while the Iraqis are shooting at our transports as we are leaving and with the cameras rolling? It will look like Shock And Awe in reverse. I think the best answer I got was we pull out at night while all the Iraqis are sleeping.

Don

. . . if it continues to look like we're leaving. Their actions run counter to the forces which are convinced that our presence enables their own resistance with recruiting and the rest.

I think the Sadr forces, in many ways directed by Iran, won't allow an eventual withdrawal to be reversed by much gratuitous violence as their moment to shift power toward themselves is coming.

Having the whole country go up for grabs and become destabilized doesn't help either Iran or Sadr. On the contrary. I think it is counter to both of their goals.

I think they are both pretty happy with the status quo.

Don

We saw a pretty even divide in their parliament over the foot-dragging SOFA which represented Sadr's influence. We may yet see that influence blossom into a significant political force if they manage to get the SOFA put up for a referendum. A public rejection of the SOFA, engineered by the clerics, would put the U.S. on the defensive and work to hasten our exit.

But when Sadr has his people arguing about political issues rather than fighting our soldiers I think Sadr figures he is winning. Especially knowing that we are no longer looking for him to drop a smart bomb on to his head.

I bet he is sleeping better at night recently with that scenario off his mind.

I know I would be.

Don