Obama’s Iraq

Precisely. The Iraqis refused to legal immunity to US forces in Iraq as a part of the SOFA. This would have made them liable to Iraqi law and justice system for injuring Iraqis and damaging property.

Before we left there were already incidents of Sunni police units stopping US convoys, disarming the Personal Security Detail and beating them nearly to death. This was a well known and not infrequent occurrence.

Without a SOFA providing immunity for protecting themselves it would be absurd for US forces to have remained in Iraq. Even if they never left their bases during any crisis they’d be cutoff on their bases, requiring air resupply and legally liable for damages claims against them.

"Obama has decided to surrender, but he is waiting to find out who he should surrender to."

Looking at if from the flip side, if you wanted to demand that the U.S. surrendered, how would you find the right American in charge?

True, but The Obama Team really sucks at negotiating the price of lunch much less a SOFA.

RE: "So you think that because it is Sunni fighters that Iran will intervene to help the Shiite govt. faction? Or might they wait until it gets really bad and then just march in?"

I believe we should adhere at least somewhat to what was reported back in the surge period and afterward when things started to settle down. That being. The Iraqi government was trying it's best to keep Iranian infiltrators from entering a number of points along the Iraqi/Iranian border.
In short the Iraqi government did not want any further Iranian influence in Iraq's affairs. Perhaps things have changed over the past few years.

RE: "Also, is this happening in the Kurdish areas or just the areas with Sunni strength?"

I do not have firm answer to that. But let us remember northern cities in question are all a part of Iraq but at least back some years lots of Kurds lived those northern cities, villages etc..
I have not been following this stuff for a few years, so hesitate to make statements I cannot back up.

Good questions you offer up however.

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