Iraq to Afghans: Take U.S. Deal

In a personal meeting between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Iraq Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Zebari offered a bit of honest advice—take the American security agreement to have a long-term presence in Afghanistan. “Don’t be under the illusion that no matter what you do the Americans are here to stay. People used to say that about the American presence in Iraq, too. But they were eager to leave, and they will be eager to leave your country as well,” said Zebari. While Karzai has made an international stink over his disagreements with the U.S. over a security agreement, Iraq has had its bloodiest year since 2006-7.