It is good news, we hope, that it is planned for most American troops to be withdrawn from Iraq in January.
The expectation, of course, is that the Iraqi government will be able to maintain order and reasonable control in the absence of American troops, and that the situation will not deteriorate with rising attacks by violent insurgents. A failure to maintain order — or the seizing of power by terrorists — would be disastrous.
The current plan is for only about 160 active-duty American soldiers assigned to the U.S. Embassy to remain in Iraq.
The Iraq War began in March 2003. Being able to have most Americans out by January 2012 will be wonderful — if security can be maintained in their absence.