If we stay, its a mess
If we pull out fast, its a mess
If we pull out in a deliberate fashion, its a mess

America doesn't control the agenda in Iraq - power blocks in Iraq and its neighbors do that. America is screwed whatever it does and lots of Iraqis will be screwed whatever they do.

I expect that Barack will search high and low for a way to extricate us as humanely as possible. He won't fully succeed because success is no longer in American hands.

However, I also believe that the TV image of "President Obama", being relentlessly reasonable with the rest of the world, will send a shockwave through the world community that will lower the temperature just a tad.

That will save lives - American, Iraqi and others.