Iraqis Must Control Their Own Security

It is becoming increasingly clear that any bilateral U.S.- Iraqi Status of Forces Agreement will have to include a date certain for withdrawal.

Following Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's demands last month, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari emphasized this week that the United States must provide "a very clear timeline" as part of any agreement allowing the United States to retain a military presence in Iraq past this year.

The United States must seize this opportunity and allow the Iraqis to take control of their own security by beginning a responsible phased withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq.

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This article was originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer.