Meanwhile, in Iraq...

Disastrous embassies aside, how are things in Iraq? Let's check in-

For much of this year, the U.S. military strategy in Iraq has sought to reduce violence so that politicians could bring about national reconciliation, but several top Iraqi leaders say they have lost faith in that broad goal.

Iraqi leaders argue that sectarian animosity is entrenched in the structure of their government. Instead of reconciliation, they now stress alternative and perhaps more attainable goals: streamlining the government bureaucracy, placing experienced technocrats in positions of authority and improving the dismal record of providing basic services.

"I don't think there is something called reconciliation, and there will be no reconciliation as such," said Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih, a Kurd. "To me, it is a very inaccurate term. This is a struggle about power."...

The article is worth reading in full, with a take on this from all sides involved.

This point may be obvious on its own, but with the Iraqis seemingly giving up-- for now-- on the concept of reconciliation, the President's post-midterm rejustification for staying in Iraq holds less water than ever (and it was a colander to begin with). So, at this point, there's no official reason why we're occupying that country. It's war for war's sake.

The British have the right idea. They're staying the course on their schedule for withdrawal.