MAX BOOT: Obama’s Tragic Iraq Withdrawal: The president says we’re leaving because of Iraqi intransigence—but he never took negotiations seriously. “Mr. Bush spoke weekly with Mr. Maliki by video teleconference. Mr. Obama had not spoken with Mr. Maliki for months before calling him in late October to announce the end of negotiations. Mr. Obama and his senior aides did not even bother to meet with Iraqi officials at the United Nations General Assembly in September.” So much for that “smart diplomacy” we were promised.