Alan
2008-07-10 07:16:59
I have to disagree with you that conceding on timetables will hurt Maliki. Regardless of the recent gains, Americans are still unpopular in Iraq and most Iraqis want us to leave. By making these public statements, he can now take the position that he wanted the US to leave, but his hand was forced. This will score him big points with Iraqis and Arabs the world over. When he can claim to be strongarmed by the US, his cries of victimhood will have a receptive audience. Just a political point scored at America’s expense.
