The importance of some kind of national reconciliation before the surge winds down in earnest is hard to over-estimate. Here’s Petraeus’ recent assessment of progress:
There have been accomplishments, especially in recent weeks. They approved a pension law that extends pension rights to tens of thousands Iraqis who were left out, cast off. They agreed to the Security Council resolution extension, which gives us our mandate. They have debated accountability and justice, which is the de-Baathification reform legislation. The budget for 2008 should come up for a vote very soon after they return from Eid and the hajj. So, the progress has been halting, but there are a number of encouraging signs on the horizon.
"Debated" accountability and justice? Somehow I think that’s not-so-hard.
The Dish 