Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- August 31, 2010

PRESIDENTIAL 'BLISS' - President Barack Obama shakes hands with soldiers on Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, Aug, 31, 2010. Obama visited the base to thank all troops for contributions that led to the official end of combat operations in Iraq. White House photo by Lawrence Jackson

Winding Down The Iraq War, And Avoiding Civil War -- Irena L. Sargsyan, L.A. Times

Most Americans seem ready to consign the Iraq war to history. They've watched tank convoys leave Baghdad, and they've heard the president underscore his campaign promise to draw down U.S. forces, leaving roughly 50,000 in the country as of Aug. 31. Moreover, Iraq and the U.S. have agreed that the remaining U.S. troops will be gone by December 2011. But history suggests that unless the U.S. is willing and able to remain committed to Iraq's security and prosperity — and Iraqis know it — the country is at risk of spiraling back into civil war.

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Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

Analysts: U.S. will be a factor for years as Iraq remains turbulent -- CNN

Obama’s Mideast Reset, and Iran’s Role In It -- Wall Street Journal

Analysis: US hopes for Iraq collided with reality -- AP

Political Wisdom: A Change in Iraq -- Wall Street Journal

Iraqis need promises of post-war commitments from the U.S. -- Washington Post editorial

What Have We Learned From Iraq? -- KT McFarland, FOX News

Mission accomplished in Iraq? -- Peter Bergen, CNN

Was the war in Iraq worth it? -- CNN opinion

Iraq needs U.S. engagement, and a slower clock -- Ryan Crocker, Washington Post

Iraq after U.S. combat forces withdraw -- Howard P. McKeon, L.A. Times

Obama’s Iraq Challenge -- Michael Hirsh, Newsweek

Winding down the Iraq war, and avoiding civil war -- Irena L. Sargsyan, L.A. Times

The Ambiguity of War's End -- Eugene Robinson, Real Clear World

So, Who Won the War in Iraq? Iran -- Mohamad Bazzi, Real Clear World/Global Post

Obama: ‘I Do Not Want to Screw This Up’ -- Max Boot, Commentary Magazine

Rethinking American Options on Iran -- George Friedman, Real Clear World/Stratfor

Beneath Iraq, Afghan, Israel Policy: Iran, Iran, Iran -- Gerald F. Seib, Wall Street Journal

Another Way in Afghanistan: Overcoming the Current Flawed Strategy -- John Ubaldi, Small Wars Journal

The Surge and Afghanistan -- John McCain, Wall Street Journal

The Afghanistan Policy Review Begins Sooner Than You Think -- Marc Ambinder, the Atlantic

Time stands still in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict -- Richard Cohen, Washington Post

At least they're talking -- L.A. Times editorial