CIAO DATE: 09/2008
June 2008
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
While experts negotiate the technical aspects of a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) -- an arrangement that would govern future security relations between Iraq and the United States -- Iraqi politicians are engaged in a rhetorical campaign against such an agreement, making it nearly impossible to finalize a deal by this summer. Meanwhile, the escalating debate now includes Iraq's neighbors, with top Iranian officials expressing their opposition to any kind of security arrangement.
Resource link: PolicyWatch #1383: Domestic and Regional Politics Delay U.S.-Iraqi Security Agreement [PDF] - 12K