Obama on Iraq

In sum: An Iraqi political success comes from security + an oil revenue sharing deal. The pullout is about forced responsibility and replenishing our own military.

A measured, but steady 16 month pullout serves two purposes. It is based on the theory of forced responsibility, forcing the Iraqis to get control of their oil money distribution and form a federated government. Secondly, it frees up military resources to fight in Afghanistan, protect the homeland, and replenish its hollowed force structure.

In full, here is Obama in the New York Times.