britain seems to be taking the "declare victory and leave" option in iraq. the white house's supportive statements of the move begs the question why the u.s. can't just do the same thing. basra is less violent than other parts of iraq, but it's hardly been violence free.
and if the administration is to be believed and the iranian influenced shia militias really are the big threat to iraq these days, then how does it reconcile the idea of pulling forces out of the areas where shia militias are the strongest? it's almost like the bush administration doesn't believe its own bullshit. or maybe they're just drawing a happy face on something (the british withdrawal) that they secretly don't like.
