Security .. Maybe Not So Much

In November, President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al- Maliki stated they would negotiate a treaty that would contain, ""security assurances and commitments . . . to deter foreign aggression against Iraq that violates its sovereignty and integrity of its territories, waters, or airspace."

Yesterday, Defense Secretary Gates told Congress that the treaty would not contain any security provisions. That was good news to some who are leery of having to defend Iraq militarily for years to come. It was bad news to Iraqis who see Iran looking longingly over their borders. No real easy answer to this one. A security commitment could commit us to another shooting war in the Mid East, perhaps with an enemy more formidable than the Republican Guard. On the other hand, leaving Iraq to defend itself seems to sidestep our responsibility for this mess and also leaves us vulnerable to an enehanced Iran.