The options in Iraq

William R. Polk as a guest on Juan Cole. It's a well-done analysis. Three options: really ugly, pretty darn ugly, and exit with grace. The latter requires going public with the stated intention of leaving at the earliest possible and turning over the policing to a UN Peacekeeping force. Guerilla activity has historically died off when the occupier has admitted defeat and turned the country over to the indigenous population (Algeria, Ireland, Vietnam, et al). "Staying the course" is the worst possible scenario.