The logic being espoused by Sen. Brownback and others falls flat:

  • Problem: Maliki’s government won’t crackdown on militias and make hard security choices.
  • Congressional Proposal: Threaten to leave because, Biden, Brownback et al. argue, this will force Iraqis to make tough choices.
  • Reality: Congressional rhetoric signaling U.S. doesn’t have staying power enables Maliki and his allies to delay making tough choices on militias, reconciliation, etc. After all, if the U.S. is going to be gone soon, why not cozy up to Tehran instead?