The future of Iraq

Andrew Sullivan points towards this article (by Mike Allen) on the recommendations of the Baker Commission Report on Iraq:

The White House has said the President will consider the report's recomendations along with an administration review and advice from Congress, and has promised significant changes in strategy. They're needed, according to Baker. "If the situation continues to deteriorate, the consequences will be severe," the report continues. "A slide toward chaos could trigger the collapse of Iraq's government and a humanitarian catastrophe. Neighboring countries could intervene. Sunni-Shia clashes could spread while Al Qaeda could win a propaganda victory and expend its base of operations. The global standing of the United States could be diminished. Americans could be become more polarized."

Perhaps the most controversial passage envisions a rapid drawdown of U.S. troops. "The primary mission of U.S. forces in Iraq should evolve to one of supporting the Iraqi army, which would take over primary responsibility for combat operations," the report says. "By the first quarter of 2008, subject to unexpected developments in the security situation on the ground, all combat bridges not necessary for force protection could be out of Iraq."