The Pentagon will increase the number of troops stationed in Iraq, up to 135,000, and 4000 troops who had been scheduled to return home have been ordered to stay on in an effort to secure Baghdad. According to the NY Times, "the new security plan allows almost no room for significant troop withdrawals by the end of 2006." The Times quotes military analyst Anthony H. Cordesman as saying, “people are now talking about 2009 as the goal for achieving really serious security.†Got that? 2009.
The present US regime's increasing support for the Sunni heirs to Sadam, coupled with their wilingness to resupply the munitions consumed by their counterparts in Israel during their ethnic cleansing of the Shia of southern Lebanon may well cause the Shia of Iraq to reassess their tactical alliance with the US occupiers. I can imagine that they may well decide to sever the 400-800 mile line that runs through Shia territory from Kuwait to Baghdad and beyond that presently supplies the US occupation. If they do that Maliki will be looking for a ride on the last helicopter leaving the US embassy roof. Things can always get worse, and the US regime seems always to be ensuring that they do. No more money for the US/Israeli wars in the Middle East. It's that simple. WORK for peace. Everyone but the politicians wants it.