At the end of this year, the U.N. "mandate" under which W. has been occupying Iraq ends. Under what there is of international law, we need a "Status Of Forces Agreement" (SOFA) in order to remain in Iraq past December 31. The Bush administration has been trying for a long time to reach a three-year deal that would mean our troops are out by the end of 2011.

The problem is, many Iraqis, particularly Shiite leaders who take their cue from Iran, don't trust Bush or any Republican (McCain) to keep the promise of leaving in three years. So the SOFA has been held up.

Then, on November 4, Barack Obama won the election. And, lo and behold, suddenly the Shiites in Iraq are ready to finalize an agreement. 77 days before taking office, Obama has a major effect on foreign affairs. Perhaps he can truly bring us "peace in our time."