[Kolokotronis]

Very odd article. If memory serves, Maliki demanded that Bush set a 2011 withdrawal date; he did and that is what the present Administration is doing. All of our troops will be out by 12/31/11, the date Bush agreed to ...or have I missed something?

[neverdem]

All of our troops will be out by 12/31/11, the date Bush agreed to ...or have I missed something?

After the August 2010 deadline for withdrawal of combat forces, 30,000 to 50,000 U.S. troops will remain in advisory and training roles until the end of 2011.

I believe 12/31/11 was somewhat tentative. The Iraqis don't have an air force, IIRC. Who's responsible for defending their airspace?