Marc Lynch doesn't think that "the presence of U.S. troops [in Iraq] is really a decisive strategic factor anymore." He advocates "thinking past the military mission and devoting adequate resources to the civilian sector:"
Iraq is slowly evolving into a position to be a player in regional politics, rather than an arena where others wage their proxy wars. Whether that Iraq becomes an effective, independent partner of the United States or develops an alliance with Iran, and how Iraq relates to its Arab neighbors, are among the most crucial variables shaping the the future regional order in the Middle East — as important as consolidating Egyptian democracy or the Iranian nuclear program.
The Dish 