"The power to walk away"

A great article on the current political situation in Iraq can be found here. The first and last paragraphs say it all:

America's agile envoy in Baghdad, Zalmay Khalilzad, is working these days to cajole Iraqi political leaders to put aside narrow interests in favor of a government of national unity. But behind the political dickering lies a stark message: If the Iraqis can't agree on a broad-based government of reconciliation, the United States may have to reduce its military and economic support. America won't bankroll one side in a civil war...

...Khalilzad's message is that America's money and patience aren't unlimited. If the Iraqis can come together to build a framework for cooperation, America stands with them. If they can't pull together, they will eventually have to face the nightmare of a shattered Iraq on their own. Ironically, that's America's hidden leverage in Iraq -- the power to walk away.

Juan Cole has said that the Shia believe that they can handle the security situation without us. I hope he is wrong. It will be an ugly civil war if the Iraqis do not compromise politically.

Even though I am glad that Grand Ayatolla Sistani mostly stays out of politics, I think it would be a great time for him to step in and urge the UIA to grant the Sunnis some political concessions.