....And How We Can Extricate Ourselves

I just got around to reading Juan Cole's post listing what we can do to disengage from Iraq, and since I agree with his assessment of what will happen if we were to withdraw (a genocidal civil war that would quickly envelope the entire region), I found his ten-step program — say it — hopeful.

1. Withdraw US troops from urban areas immediately.
2. In a second phase of withdrawal, begin to reduce the number of US ground troops.
3. Provide the elected Iraqi government close air support in any firefight guerrilla forces, for as long as they want it.
4. Prevent any guerrilla force from fielding a large number of fighters for a set battle, with the consent of the elected Iraqi government.
5. Offer the elected Iraqi government targeted military aid.
6. Help with the rapid development of an Iraqi armor corps.
7. In return for our continued support, demand that the Iraqis hold elections on a district basis so as to ensure proper representation.
8. The US should demand as a quid pro quo for further help that the Iraqi government announce an amnesty for all former Baath Party members who cannot be proven to have committed serious crimes, including crimes against humanity.
9. Rewrite laws governing US reconstruction aid so that money flows to Iraqi companies, not US ones. And finally,
10. Join regular meetings with Iraqis neighbors to help put Iraq back on its feet through diplomacy and multilateral aid. (This means we would stop threatening to destroy Syria and Iran.)

I might even vote for a presidential candidate that supports this agenda, but what are the chances of that?