One of the problems with the current political situation in the US is that any kind of withdrawal is immediately identified as a victory for the anti-Iraq war group and a defeat for the pro-Iraq war group. So even if it makes tactical and strategic sense to start pulling troops out and turning things over to sovereign Iraqi forces, both sides here in the states starts putting their spin on it. So, the pro-war group never wants to leave and the anti-war group continues to demand immediate withdrawal. What a mess. Exit strategy is not a dirty word. It is or at least should be a carefully thought out (and probably very secret) plan BY THE MILITARY on how to serve the best interests of the United States first, and sovereign Iraq second, politics be darned, with, as usual, the military doing the best they can in difficult circumstances to preserve life and limb, and honor.