I'm glad these points are being talked over and not decided at the point of a gun.

Progress is being made, too slow for some, but it's still progress.

Dave Dragon, Tampa Bay Florida, USA

Foreign troop should be out of IRAQ Iraqi should be proud in being Iraqi and not to be dictated Or ruled by USA and it’s ARMY.

Munna, London, UK

"Needless to say: US WILL have 'agreement'" -- Dan

Iranians already knew that in advance- hence their rush to defend the region via nuclear weapons. U.S WILL not use nukes to retaliate in a region with the world's highest oil reserves. China & Russia wont be happy if they cannot have access.

jayil, london, uk

"...if we went into Iraq for oil, then why are we now paying over twice what we were for it before we went into Iraq?" -- Yon D., Boston, USA

You underestimated Iraq's insurgency. Their ability to defend their country regardless of their own civilian casualties. They've burned down the oil well's

jayil, london, uk

The Iraq war was always about Israel. Let us not be frightened to say it. Oil was always a secondary factor. When the oil pipelines are hooked up from Mosul to Haifa as is being discussed, and Iraq is broken up into three states, then they will say the job is done.

John Evans, Plymouth,

"the war is over and the bad guys have been defeated"

No, the "war" is still ongoing and the bad guys are still there, with huge bases that have all the amenities, such as Pizza Huts, Starbucks, etc.

Doug, NYC, USA

It's important for the Iraqi's to stand up on their own. They obviously want that to occur. As do we. The question is when will they have the logistical and administrative capacity to manage their armed forces. Not soon. It will be a good compromise I'm sure. Don't be too critical right now.

Neil , Raleigh, NC, USA

It's important for the Iraqi's to stand up on their own. They obviously want that to occur. As do we. The question is when will they have the logistical and administrative capacity to manage their armed forces. Not soon. It will be a good compromise I'm sure. Don't be too critical right now.

Neil , Raleigh, NC, USA

To Julia Iskandar: If this was all about Oil, why didn't the U.S. just invade Venezuela? It is much closer, and there is a Socialist nationalizing assets of U.S. companies. You also have to ignore all the oil in the U.S. (Alaska and Continental Shelf).

Chris, Tallahassee, U.S.A.

Just out of curiosity Julia, if we went into Iraq for oil, then why are we now paying over twice what we were for it before we went into Iraq?

I think this is good news though - we can start to pull out / fade into the background and the situation in Iraq seems greatly improved.

Yon D., Boston, USA

You don't maintain super installation like the Balad Air Base
or build the biggest embassy in the world without any long term presence intention.

Only Senator McCain expressed publicly what
is planned under the hood: An occupation of 100 years.

Needless to say: US WILL have 'agreement'...

Dan Berger, Gatineau, Canada

Actually, Nathan, Small Town, USA,
let's go back a bit and check the *real* history. The votes had to be counted TWICE to get the results they wanted. Remember that? Probably not.
Second, those terrorists ALL appeared AFTER USA invaded. Remember how there were NO terrorists BEFORE USA's invasion?

Petkov, V Turnovo, Bulgaria

It seems to me that foreign troops in Iraq are the bgest source of contention and will never be tolerated by the Iraqi people.

Ward Sears, Smithville NJ, USA

Hahaha... “The general premise though is that they operate in a manner which reflects respect for, acknowledgement of Iraqi sovereignty and ultimately an Iraqi decision,” the US official said. That's really funny. USA respects other nations sovereignty!!!, I had a good laugh this morning, THANKS

Marius, Montreal, Canada

I think we are naive. I don't think the US presents is going to do much for terrorism. It will enflame an already intense situation. It will be stupid to think the US will NOT take action against an enemy either thru covert or overt means. Too much oil around there and too many enemies, its tempting

Jhn, san jose, usa

Well well, the surge provided security and the government is learning to govern. You know, the government nominated and voted on by the IRAQI PEOPLE to approve a CONSTITUTION for Iraq. But, terrorists will say it is a puppet government and mindless westerners will reinforce their position.

Nathan, Small Town, USA

This article is misleading. Many of these "towns" are such huge installations that with all their amenities some serving and living on them have never found any need to leave base for any reason during their entire tours of duty. These mini Green Zones are a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.

Tom Freeman, Bradford, USA

Yes yes, and the Oil for Food program was an excuse to let the US/UK do all the enforcing for 10 years while Europe made millions in kickbacks. You were more upset about the blown up buddas then mass graves being dug under the UN's noses for 10 years so spare me your high minded judgments.

William, Atlanta, USA

Isn't this what the Amercians criticised the UK for? If the Iraquis want the US out, then out the US must go, whether Nouri al-Maliki is able to control the country or not. Security in Iraq should be down to their government, police and army.

David Leslie, Perth, Scotland

G W Bush stated at the start of the Iraqi invasion that US troops will not stay one day longer in Iraq then is necessary.
What is the bet that this will be proved to be humbug?

K Singh, Melbourne, Australia

The West has been suck(er)ed into the Iraq and Afghanistan wars , and the Afghanis and Iraqis have been stitched up too: "Bin Laden" and "Saddam" were useful bogeymen for the US to get its own way (oil). Stitching up Ahmadinejad in a similar way will also be massively counterproductive. Who pays?

Julia Iskandar, London, England

Ingratitude is not nice at the best of times, when combined with political ambition it is sordid.

Troops out, and let them get on with it themselves.

David, Plymouth, England

To Sonny of Bangkok, The U K has well and truly paid back its lend lease and so has Australia. I can not speak for other countries, as I do not know, but would be interested to hear about it.

margie , victoria, australia

After reviewing the course of post-surge events, it seems likely that the war is drawing to a close. Most of the insurgent activity has subsided, the Iraqi Security Forces are standing up, and political reconciliation is proceeding. Very likely, the U.S. can shift more to a train and support role.

Terrence, Laurel, MD, USA

I agree with Daphne. Let's all come home and stay in our own backyards.. The war is costly the rest of the world rolls over and plays dead. As to America debts. Well maybe we could start with asking the UK and Europe to pay back lend lease and the Marshall plan billions, with interest.

Sonny, Bangkok, Thailand

Relax Jayil. The Americans are honorable. We have large numbers of troops in North Korea, Germany, Japan, Kosova and smaller numbers of troops in about 75 other countries. None of these countries could be called puppets. Al Maliki calling for less American freedom of movement is good news.

Tom in Texas, Houston, USA

So. In other words, the war is over and the bad guys have been defeated.

killian, dublin,

I do not think the American government can afford to keep up the farce in Iraq for much longer, one it cost too much money and China has just had an earthquake and will not loan America any more money and it is quite likely America may not be able to pay its debts. Oil prices may well reach $200 P/B

Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK

al-Maliki is clearly another U.S puppet. He wouldn't last five minutes if U.S troops were to pull-out.
"The Iraq-US pact" what a joke. In other words U.S will be controlling Iraq by proxy. This is the type of news which creates "terrorists". Now I know why Islamists rightly say "The Great Satan"

jayil, london, uk