Iraqi Status of Forces Agreement Near Signing

Irt appears that the new pact calls fortroops to leave Iraqi cities by June with a complete widhdrawal by the end of 2011.

Basically, the Obama plan.

Also, it's clear that the Iraqis knew that they had the US over a barrel, because immunity for US soldiers is severely curtailed:

U.S. negotiators demanded exclusive jurisdiction over all soldiers and contractors. But Iraq insisted on a role to convince the public that Iraqis - and not Americans - were in charge of their own country.

Under the compromise, the United States would have the primary right to try troops and Pentagon contractors for alleged offenses committed on American bases or during military operations, the officials said.

Such language would presumably shield troops from prosecution for accidentally killing civilians caught in crossfire during authorized combat operations.

But Iraq would have the first option to try U.S. military personnel and contractors for serious, premeditated crimes alleged to have been committed outside American bases and when they were not on an authorized mission, the officials said.

...

American troops would no longer be allowed to detain suspects or search homes without Iraqi legal authorization except in cases of active combat, the officials said. Anyone detained by the Americans must be handed over to the Iraqis within 24 hours

I would note that our status of forces agreements with our NATO allies and Japan give the local authorities far less access to soldiers accused of wrongdoing.

It appears that some members of Congress are having a cow over the potential exposure of US troops to Iraqi justice.

Unfortunately, the Iraqis know that if there is no deal by the election, it will be even worse for the 'Phants, and applied the old adage, "If you’ve got them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow."