| Indeed there is a train of thought that goes along the lines of "iraq won't ever be ready until they are forced to be ready". As such putting a firm timetable in place may actually end up being benefical to those ends. However, if forcing a timetable on them does not have the desired effect of getting them to step up to the plate, then things could go tits up pretty quickly.
If will be a fine wire to walk in getting them to believe the US is firm on the timetable, and yet on the other hand not being so firm with it as to allow things to possibly get beyond repair should the Iraqies fail to measure up.
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"Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you'd have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, it takes religion" - Steven Weinberg |