Sgt. Leonard Cortze, from left, Ala Hassan of the Iraqi Army and Rahim Ahmed, a Kurdish security officer, at a Diyala checkpoint. Shiho Fukada for The New York TimesPolitics In Iraq Casts Doubt On A U.S. Presence After 2011 -- New York Times
BAGHDAD — The protracted political turmoil that saw the resurgence of a fiercely anti-American political bloc here is casting new doubt on establishing any enduring American military role in Iraq after the last of nearly 50,000 troops are scheduled to withdraw in the next 12 months, military and administration officials say.
Given Iraq’s military shortcomings, especially in air power, intelligence coordination and logistics, American and Iraqi officials had long expected that some American military presence, even if only in an advisory role, would continue beyond 2011. That is the deadline for a troop withdrawal negotiated under President George W. Bush more than three years ago and adhered to, so far, by President Obama.
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More News On Iraq
U.S. political plan gets left behind in Iraq -- Miami Herald/McClatchy News
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Allawi comments boost Iraq government prospects -- Washington Post
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Iraq's Allawi Says Will Join Maliki Government -- Radio Free Europe
Program to integrate Sunnis in security forces imperiled -- Dallas News/AP
Iraq oil revenue plan prompts Kurd parl't walkout -- Reuters
Iraqi Cleric Asks Followers Not to Work for Foreign Oil -- Wall Street Journal
Qur'an etched in Saddam Hussein's blood poses dilemma for Iraq leaders -- The Guardian
Saddam half-brother apologises to Iraqi people -- AFP
Iraq is in danger of regressing -- The Daily Star editorial