McCain's Iraq Policy Evaporates

by Steve Soto

This interview in Der Spiegel pretty much settles it:

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told a German magazine he supported prospective U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's proposal that U.S. troops should leave Iraq within 16 months.

In an interview with Der Spiegel released on Saturday, Maliki said he wanted U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq as soon as possible.

"U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama talks about 16 months. That, we think, would be the right timeframe for a withdrawal, with the possibility of slight changes."

It is the first time he has backed the withdrawal timetable put forward by Obama, who is visiting Afghanistan and us set to go to Iraq as part of a tour of Europe and the Middle East.

[snip]

"Whoever is thinking about the shorter term is closer to reality. Artificially extending the stay of U.S. troops would cause problems."

A focus on the shorter term pretty much undercuts McCain's entire national security policy. And this came two days after al-Maliki spoke to Bush, so it's clear W no longer carries any sway with the Iraqis.

Update: Obama's campaign responds.