AP
The Bush administration is conceding for the first time that the United States may not finish a complex security agreement with Iraq before President Bush leaves office.
Faced with stiff Iraqi opposition, it is "very possible" the U.S. may have to extend an existing U.N. mandate, said a senior administration official close to the talks. That would mean major decisions about how U.S. forces operate in Iraq could be left to the next president, including how much authority the U.S. must give Iraqis over military operations and how quickly the handover takes place.
Much more.
Related, from Froomkin:
Do we really expect the Bushies to go quietly?
No.
Reporters should be keeping a sharp eye out for things Bush officials are doing to make their policies stay in effect after they leave office. In the first of a five-part series: Putting Iraq on autopilot, risking war with Iran, and purging the military.
What are the Bushies doing to lock in their current course – even if it’s Barack Obama in the Oval Office on inauguration day? What agreements and contracts are they committing the country to? What rules, line-items, and executive orders will live on beyond their creators? What Trojan horses, landmines and Manchurian Candidates have they put in place throughout government?
[...] “By naming Petraeus to a job that lasts into the next administration, Bush ensures that the new president will confront the military's strongest voice for maintaining a big force in Iraq.”
Civilians are technically in charge of the U.S. military, but recalcitrant generals can make change hard to achieve. [...]
Lemme 'splain to our Nation's next leader how an old Corporal of Marines would handle the 'recalcitrant generals' from the standpoint of outranking them: "General, STFU and do what I tell you or have your resignation on my desk in one minute. This is not a discussion. One more fucking word outta you other than 'aye aye, sir' and the Gunny here slaps the cuffs on you."
See? Easy.
Much, much more at Froomkin's.
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