they hate us for our freedom, part 2,764

with the deadline for US troops to leave iraq rapidly approaching, the sudden surge in violence brings talks to extend washington's mandate to the fore:

More than 70 killed in attacks across Iraq - The Washington Post: "BAGHDAD - More than 70 people were killed and dozens more were wounded Monday in a string of violent attacks around Iraq, one of the deadliest days in the country so far this year, police and government officials said.

In the worst incident, two bombs exploded in a busy market in the city center of Kut, killing at least 37 and injuring more than 50."

the argument will no doubt be made the iraqi security forces are not up to the job of holding off the violence -- which requires our battle-hardened troops.

not hard to see what's afoot with the violence... it wouldn't be the least surprising if one were to learn that the CIA (under general petreus, after all) has a hand in fomenting the chaos.

after all, why give up that piece of prime real estate now, when it might be leveraged to solve so many of the US government's many challenges?