Pivotal US-Iraqi Deal Would Leave US Troop Presence in Iraq for Decades

Good news! The US promises to keep backing the civilian government of Iraq while it grows and matures. I wonder what the US political system would have looked like if the French had maintained a light presence to help with the political safety of the Americans?

DEBKAfile - Pivotal US-Iraqi Deal Would Leave US Troop Presence in Iraq for Decades: "US President George W. Bush made sure of a wall-to-wall Arab audience in Washington on Monday, Nov. 26, when, over a secure video-link, he signed a deal in principle with Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki for an “enduring” US military presence in Iraq. Iraqi officials foresaw a long-term presence of 50,000 US troops - down from the current 170,000."