Set A Deadline for Iraq - John Kerry & Russ Feingold

We know the verdict of our generals: our troops have accomplished their military mission; the only way forward is a political settlement. We need to listen to General Casey, the top American military commander in Iraq, who argued that our large military presence "feeds the notion of occupation" and "extends the amount of time that it will take for Iraqi security forces to become self-reliant." Iraqi politicians have proven they only respond to deadlines - a deadline to transfer authority, and deadlines to hold three elections. It was only the most intense eleventh-hour pressure that brought forward a consensus Prime Minister. It was the only the most intense eleventh-hour pressure that forced the Iraqis to complete their government. And that is why we need a deadline now for Iraqis to stand up and fight for their own country.

It is time to set a schedule with the new Iraqi government for the redeployment of American combat forces. Doing so will empower the new Iraqi leadership, put Iraqis in the position of running their own country and undermine support for the insurgency. There is no doubt that much of the instability in Iraq is being fueled by the majority of Iraqis who want us to leave their country. Only troops essential to finishing the job of training Iraqi forces and conducting targeted anti-terrorist operations should remain.

Key to this transition is a long overdue engagement in serious and sustained diplomacy. To give Iraq its best hope for a peaceful future, convene a summit that includes the leaders of that country, its neighbors, and representatives from the Arab League, NATO, the UN and the European Union to forge the comprehensive political solution that is necessary to bring stability to Iraq. Making it clear that America will not stay in Iraq forever pressures the regional players to step up and assume their fair share of the burden - indeed it may be the only step that will get Iraqis' neighbors directly, and positively, engaged in helping establish the stability of Iraq.

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