Iraq, U.S.: Defining Long-Term Relations

Baghdad and Washington signed a "Declaration of Principles" on Nov. 26 calling for a security pact between the United States and Iraq. The declaration makes an implicit call for permanent U.S. military bases to be established in Iraq to guard against Iranian ambitions in the Arabian Peninsula — a core demand in Washington's negotiations with Iran over Iraq. Though Iran already has agreed to another round of negotiations, it might have to pull out a few stalling tactics until it can find new leverage to use in its talks with the United States concerning Iraq.