More good news from Iraq... sigh

Clashes kill nearly 50 in southern Iraq
By CHRISTOPHER CHESTER, Associated Press Writer
18 Jan 2008
BAGHDAD - Violence left nearly 50 people dead in two major southern cities Friday when members of a shadowy, messianic cult attacked police and fellow Shiite worshippers — a year after a similar plot was foiled during Shiite Islam's most important holiday.

Iraqi authorities said at least 36 people were reported killed in Basra, Iraq's second largest city, and at least 10 in Nasiriyah, where witnesses said U.S.-led coalition jet fighters and helicopter gunships targeted a police station seized by cult gunmen.

A gentle reminder: The south - Basra, Nasiriyah - is supposed to be the exemplar of our success! No al Qaeda in Iraq, no evil Baathists. Just Shi'ites, whom we nobly liberated from Saddam's oppressive yoke... sigh.

Again: what do we envision as a "successful" end-state in Iraq? ... and just how are we going to get there?

Perhaps the way to phrase the argument today is in terms of our National Security. Our continued presence in Iraq is draining our treasury and destroying our military, for no discernible, tangible return on investment.

Ah! But the Iraq government needs us!
Minister Sees Need for U.S. Help in Iraq Until 2018! We must stay - it's our duty!

W, in his own words:

... when it comes to our security, we really don't need anybody's permission.
[President George Bush Discusses Iraq in National Press Conference, 6 March 2003]

Why do we now need the Iraq government's permission to leave Iraq?

Perhaps it was a noble cause. It is now lost.

Stop the madness!