Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- August 24, 2009

Hundreds of US Marines, sailors, and soldiers bowed their heads in prayer during a memorial service in Iraq in August for fallen comrades. Additional purchases of protective equipment for troops have contributed to the Iraq war’s growing expense. (Captain Mike Alvarez/ AFP/ Getty Images)

America Needs To Prepare For Early Iraq Pullout -- Bruce Ackerman and Oona Hathaway, Financial Times

America’s legal relationship with Iraq is falling apart. Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq’s prime minister, has announced a referendum next January on the agreement that governs US military operations. If voters say No, as most expect, Iraq will withdraw from the accord. Under the terms of the agreement, American troops will then have to leave the country in January 2011, nearly a year earlier than planned.

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COMMENTARIES, OPINIONS, AND EDITORIALS

Democratic doubts as Afghanistan soldiers on -- James Lamont, Financial Times

Seven steps to peace in Afghanistan -- Syed Saleem Shahzad, Asia Times

Afghanistan is Worth the Fight -- Washington Times editorial

The President and the 'Necessary War' Myth -- Robert Kagan, Washington Post opinion.

War of Necessity or Choice? -- Arnaud de Borchgrave, Washington Times opinion.

Will Dems support O's Afghan fight? -- Linda Chavez, New York Post

The War for Afghanistan's Women -- Malcolm Potts, Los Angeles Times opinion

Under Burqas, Afghan Women Voted in Protest -- Christian Science Monitor editorial.

The Hamas message: if you think we’re bad, try al Qa’eda -- Tony Karon, The National

The Tehran File -- Washington Post editorial.

Expect More Adventurism From Iran -- Mohamad Bazzi, Wall Street Journal opinion.

Why Should We Underwrite Russian Rearmament? -- Gabriel Schoenfeld, Wall Street Journal opinion.

(Russia) Pride and Power -- Richard Pipes, Washington Journal

Medvedev Changes His Tactics Over Ukraine -- Fyodor Lukyanov, Moscow Times

Where Violence Flourishes (The Caucasus) -- Masha Lipman, Wa

Fiasco in Edinburgh -- The Times editorial.

'Dear Moammar' -- Wall Street Journal editorial

It's 3 a.m. Do You Know Where Hillary Clinton Is? -- David Rothkopf, Washington Post

Investigate Everyone Who Knew? -- Daniel Gallington, Washington Times opinion

CIA Accountability -- Jeffrey H. Smith, Washington Post opinion.

'Is He Weak?' -- Jim Hoagland, Washington Post opinion

Calderon Courts Reform -- Austin Bay, Washington Times opinion.

Leadership 101 -- David Ignatius, Washington Post

Advantage, Mr. Chávez -- Washington Post editor

Big Money Fuels Mexico's Narco-terror -- Oliver North, Washington Times opinion.

Calderon Courts Reform -- Austin Bay, Washington Times opinion.