Update

True, as this article points out (link via Needlenose)The new, improved UN Resolution being drafted has a provision that allows the government to request that the troops depart. And, as Swopa points out, Sistani could call out his own supporters at virtually any time should he tire of our presence.

But would the US really allow semi-autonomous nation of Iraq to show us the door? I doubt it. In this instance, the political implications would be enormous, and, while I actually LIKE the idea of Iraq telling us "get out," my gut says that neither Bush nor Kerry would accede to any such request. And while the US doesn't have enough by way of force to run the occupation with any degree of effectiveness, the soldiers have plenty of firepower to defend their garrisons. I guess the real question is whether or not they'd use their firepower against demonstrators as well as insurgents. The answer, thus far, is, yes, they will.

Iraq is, in a word fucked. In slightly more than a word, it will be interesting to see how long a 21st century semi-autonomous nation can exist. I'll give it until the end of the year...