Iraq, U.S.: The SOFA and What Could Still Go Wrong

Chaos erupted in the Iraqi parliament for a second day Nov. 20 during a debate over the Status of Forces Agreement, which sets Dec. 31, 2011, as a firm withdrawal date for U.S. troops in Iraq. Iraq's Cabinet approved the pact on Nov. 16, but the parliament will not vote on it until Nov. 24, and several factors could derail the strategic agreement.