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Your concerns regarding long term commitments in Iraq are well received. And I have voiced similiar concerns in past posts.
Surely the current mix of Iraqi politicians are hedging so to speak certain commitments based on the uncertainty of who will be the US POTUS in 2008. Few Republican potentiates would consider undertaking a long term commitment in Iraq based on public opinion.
And this is a major problem we face. And it has been in my mind for a year plus. Why should Iraqi take the painfull steps required to unite, if the US will not fully back them.
And as we understand, the US has already announced in effect it shall provide far less aid to Iraq then has been planned.
The administration is slowly moving toward a position that it is now up to the Iraqi to embrace their future, take control. And this must scare the pee out of many of them.
As for your entry of the Russian part of the equation. It will be hard for many here to integrate it into their though processes, because it is a monster in itself. Not well understood by many, and quite frankly ignored simply as a bad dream that will not go away.
And that is OK. I hardly like to think about this part of the deal so to speak, but am always forced back into the realities of the region and who was really in control since the days of Nasar etc..
It is almost like throwing a curve ball to friends when the russkies are brought into the Iraqi/Iranian issues. People start to shy away. But that does not for a minute diminish the real realities. The Russians have big stakes in this game.
Oil/gas pipelines from both Iran and Iraq (north/south fields) are big time money in the future. Just to name one of the more obviouse economic issues at hand. And the Russians would love to once again sell weapon systems to the Iraqis. If the US pulls out, and our military is asked to leave, then the Russians will move in sure as hell. The Iraqi will as any nation want to re-arm. And since the US will not be in the picture, what better opportunity for the Iraqi to ask the Russians back in to rebuild their infrastructure. Oil refineries, petro chemical plants, new power stations, nuclear reactors for future Iraqi energy needs.
The whole bad dream once again. So naturally, you can see why you don't get responses from folks on some of your posts. Many here, know the score, but perhaps are at odds as how to express in a few sentences the ramifications of what the Russian are waiting to do once the US pulls out. Taint a pretty picture. As for Iran. No comments should be required. We understand how deeply the Russians are in bed with the Persians. And nuke em has no meaning in the reality of things. The Russians and Chicoms just sit by licking their chops.

"And this is a major problem we face. And it has been in my mind for a year plus. Why should Iraqi take the painfull steps required to unite, if the US will not fully back them. And as we understand, the US has already announced in effect it shall provide far less aid to Iraq then has been planned. The administration is slowly moving toward a position that it is now up to the Iraqi to embrace their future, take control. And this must scare the pee out of many of them."

I disagree. First, the Iraqis know that President Bush will continue his precise same policies for the next 3 years. Second, Iraqis want to govern themselves. Third, is technology.

Even with the U.S. Army fully withdrawn from Iraq, we'll still be able to offer the Iraqis more than 1,000 UCAV's in their skies for combat air support 24/7...flown remotely by kids drinking Jolt Cola in Nevada.

UCAV's are politically stealthy. No Americans are at risk in UCAV's, thus, even a Democrat would authorize their use (after all, no Democrat would want to be blamed for losing Iraq on his/her watch).

UCAV's can carry up to 16 air to ground missiles, and we're already flying more than 1,000 UAVs per day in Iraq now. This is a potent force that will forever be available to friendly Iraqi forces.

It will also aid our long-term bonding with Iraq. Our UCAV's will foster long-term good relations with Iraq...something that lip service or bribes from the French or Russians or Chinese can't easily match.

1,000 "Iraqi" UCAV's, when combined with a U.S. trained Iraqi Army, a democratic election process, a Republican Iraqi government, a viable Constitution, and a rebuilt infrastructure adds up to long-term Iraqi stability (as well as friendship with the U.S.).