U.S. & Iraq agree on 2011 withdrawal

Today's Washington Post leads with a story that begins as follows:

U.S. and Iraqi negotiators have agreed to the withdrawal of all U.S. combat forces from the country by the end of 2011, and Iraqi officials said they are "very close" to resolving the remaining issues blocking a final accord that governs the future American military presence here.

How many more U.S. troops will die between now and 2011?

And how will John McCain react to this news? Will he claim that this is a sign of major progress and proof that our presence there has been a good thing?

Then the article gets even more interesting:

Iraqi and U.S. officials said several difficult issues remain, including whether U.S. troops will be subject to Iraqi law if accused of committing crimes.

Hmmmm.....

Surely George W. Bush would never agree to any kind of accountability for criminal behavior on the part of our troops or contractors. After all, this is the same George W. Bush who "unsigned" the U.S. from our obligations under the International Criminal Court in the Hague.

But it is interesting to speculate about what would happen if U.S. troops were subject to Iraqi law if accused of committing crimes.

How would John McCain respond? (He of the fiery temper and the tough-guy rhetoric.)

And how would Barack Obama respond? (He of the reasoned diplomatic bent.)

I know who I'd want to have in charge.