Americans are poised to wrest executive power from this deeply entrenched Corporatist regime; and believe me, most American's cannot fathom why our wealth, our liberty, our very identity is being transferred to a nation with no sense of self. Believe me, Iraq- you'll be on your own soon enough.

Sean, Springdale, USA

If the US puppets in Iraq say leave, then do as they ask. Or is the US there until the oil runs out? Then of course, whichever despot is in power, the country will be of no further use to the USA.

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

If the lawfully elected government of the country or Iraq asks us to leave we should leave. Any other action shows just how full of it the Bush administration is and that they intend to occupy this country forever and never had intent to set up a real democracy. It's not our country. leave!

Ed White, DC, USA

UK Forces had not been wanted in Basra for a long time..so they took the decision to move out. The UK want to withdraw totally, we're only there now to show support. The Iraqis have now shown their hand...time for ALL to leave. Leave themselves to themselves. Let the power struggle begin.

kirk, Rotherham, UK

Bush has taken US debt from three to nine trillion; the dollar's value is cut in half, as oil doubles in response. All while the right wing wants the wasting wars to go on and on with no thought of consequences. Iraq currently costs three billion every seven days. Long past time to go. Vote Obama

tarquinis, Seattle, USA

Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's demand is going to be swiftly dismissed and played down by the US administration for " freedom & democracy" sake.

Lud, Paris,

Unbelievable! If people remember, there have been quite a few times the U.S have wanted to set a timeline yet the Iraqi government begged and pleaded they not do this. Now they 'demand'? The audacity.
Too many soldiers lives are being lost due to moslems bombing anyone and everyone inc each other

Leeane Davidson, Brisbane, Australia

Rather confirms what I suspected all along.

That the invasion wasn't primarily about oil, but about gaining a base in the region now that the Saudis are less keen on having US soldiers on their territory.

US will probably use removal of aid as the carrot.

Clive, Surrey,

Will from Grimsby mentions South Korea, Germany and Japan as occupation "successes". In none of them was there a murderous insurgency actively or passively supported by a significant portion of the civilian population. Hey, Will, "If you don't learn from history, you're condemned to relive it.

Dave, Stoney Creek, Canada

Sorry to say Will but for the USA to be in Germany, Japan, and Korea are not sucesses!
All of these soldiers from the USA should be on their own soil. It cost the USA 10's of billions of dollars.The unfortunate wars in Both Afghanistan and Irac are being fought over oil, () and religion. History?

Thomas, San Diego, Califonia, USA

How soon we forget. The US committed that once "liberated" we would leave the Philippines. We didn't and warred with the Philippine people until 200,000 civilians and 4,000 American soldiers were dead. before we finally extinguished their will to fight for their independence. Sound familiar?

Michael J. O'Connell, Sammamish, USA

Iraq is not Germany , Japan, or South Korea. Last I checked, there weren't people willing to drive themselves into a crowd and kill people as well as themselves in any of those countries. People, including John McCain, need to stop comparing the two--THEY ARE NOT THE SAME!

eric D., Louisville, USA

This is good news! Now Obama has every reason to set a timetable to exit this horrible war and get us the hell out of there.
To Will... it's time for the Americans to get out of most of the countries we are occupying/stationed in. And Viet Nam is doing just fine without us there!

Scooter, San Diego,, USA

"if you dont learn from history ur condemed to relive it"

A little bit of knowledge is dangerous in the wrong hands.

beaupritchard, Youngstown, Ohio

The Arabs, Shia or Sunni, will not want US to stay in their Iraq. Is Iraz their Country or ours? Did we give them a Democracy or not? If they want us to leave the only way we can say "no" is to point our guns at their Democracy and freedom will be on the march again!

Fourcents

Barry D. Speer, Auburn, CA, USA

Good for the Iraq's! Either the US packs up when the Iraq says so or the US governemt is exposed as 'democracy for us - but not for you' hypocrities in front of the entire watching world. Sounds like a win-win posotion for Iraq.

Gene, Cedar Rapids, IA , USA

This is a big deal. It could be THE big deal of the election. If the Iraqis want us to leave, what is McCain supposed to run on? If the Iraqis declare that they want us to leave, this completely pull the rug out from his central claim to the presidency.

Jerry, Merion, PA

Good for the Iraqi government! The American president and his republican backers may want to make Iraq a colony, but the American people do not. Iraq should have control of their own country. I'm an American and I love my country, but I am not proud of the way we have behaved in Iraq.

karela, Michigan, U.S.A.

The "sucess" of the previous "occupations" of Germany, South Korea, Japan, etc---are "sucessful" because of the agreement of both of our governments; IE-- They WANT us there; Iraq is not the same. We have ruined the country. All we are there is primarily to control their resources.

Charles, San Jose Ca, USA

*Sigh* Again, as so many times before, people cite Germany & Japan as models for how the US can occupy Iraq indefinitely. Has nobody ever understood the difference?
Germany & Japan feared the Soviet Union. Remember, German refugees streamed towards the Western Allies as the war drew to a close.

Rich Gardner, Horsham, USA

senator has not wavered on his commitment for a 16 month combat troop withdrawl. that is suggestion by those of the opposing political party. once in the white house as president he will consult with the field commanders to get a real time assesment of the war/occupation.

karl , las vegas , u.s.a.

Well, Will, none of the countries you mention had insurgencies 5 years after the war ended.

Maybe had Bush learned from the history of Vietnam and the first Gulf War, he wouldn't have gone into Iraq in the first place.

You can't compare apples to oranges and declare it relevant history.

jason, columbus, usa

Grimsby,

In all those countries we have SOFA inplace. American service men are not subject to local laws no matter what crime they commit. Any self respecting country wont accept it

kaiser, st.louis, usa

Obama has said all along that he would base his decisions re/ withdrawal on the situation as it developed. He said he may need to REFINE his decision. In other words he will not plow stubbornly ahead toward a preset goal. Obama will get us OUT smartly and safely.

Elaine, Athens,

Obama has not wavered on his commitment to withdraw troops from Iraq. The appearance of wavering is only in the eyes of the MSM.

Michael, Hoboken, USA

The U.S. isn't leaving Iraq anytime soon, at least not until the oil is gone, no matter who become President.

R. Berke, Oakland, USA

how long have the allies been in Germany?
how long have the americans been in Japan?
how long have they been in south korea

all huge successes

yet people ignore these and think that the model we should follow is that of vietnam.

if you dont learn from history ur condemed to relive it

will, grimsby, uk

Once Iraq signes the Status of Forces Agreement they will become an official colony of the U.S.

Frankie, Sydney, Australia