A news report published in a London daily called The Independent confirms what every Iraq war skeptic feared: the US is negotiating with Iraqi government officials to make our occupation of their country permanent.

The quasi-secret deal is currently being brokered by none other than the Vice President himself. It will mandate the establishment of 50 permanent US military bases in the country. An unconditional term of agreement stipulates that US soldiers, privatized soldiers and government officials will not be forced to obey Iraqi laws. We will still of course be able to arrest and prosecute all suspected terrorists without Iraqi government interference.

This ploy should not come as a surprise to anyone. This, after all, was the ultimate goal of the Bush administration. Liberating the Iraqi people from the grips of an evil dictator and protecting the world from potential W.M.D.'s were mere selling points. The long-term occupation of a sovereign country for strategic economic and military purposes was always the end game, it has always been the true definition of victory.

Why is the Iraqi government considering a deal to keep American forces in the country when an overwhelming majority of the people want them out? Politics and power. It appears the US has convinced the political elite of all three religious sects in Iraq that they need the US. 

The majority Shiite government - which gained power after the ousting of Sunni affiliated Saddam - wants to stay in power at all costs. They will accept a US occupation if it means their government positions are safe. Radical Shiite cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr, who is not part of the government but controls an entire city and is the commander of a militia, has vowed to fight the occupation.

The once empowered Sunni coalition must believe that the presence of the US will offset the power of the Shiite government. They fear that an unchecked Shiite government will run rampant after decades of mistreatment. The Al-Qaeda influence inside this sect is another force that will not accept occupation no matter what.

The Kurds, who represent 1/5 of the population, are in favor of the US staying because its presence will protect / buy their northern region produced oil fields.

Ryan Crocker, the white haired, fair faced boyish Iraqi ambassador has been trying to push through this "strategic alliance" ASAP in an obvious attempt to render Barack Obama's withdrawal plans obsolete. People may remember Crocker sitting next to Gen. Petraeus during the Senate committee hearings. Funny how the American public was never privy to this vital information then.

As much as I disagree with the war, the lies and the occupation I must admit that seeing progress in a long term solution is somewhat satisfying.

If the separate Iraqi factions agree to this "strategic alliance" then a case can be made that 4,000 soldiers lives weren't sacrificed for nothing. If a long-term occupying agreement can be made, then Iraq will be forever linked to the US and the soldiers lives will optimistically benefit the greater good. (It is still to be determined if a strategic alliance will be for the greater good.)

However justified this agreement may be, the motives of the Iraqi factions will not meet the will of the people, Crocker is not willing to let the proposal be put to a vote, hence the secrecy, but the will of the American people will not be met either. It is a clear government-only relationship.

The US government thinks permanent bases in Iraq will secure access to oil and create a new frontier of defense. Both will presumably allow all Americans to afford Hummers, but not because we may need them in battle.

The Iraq governments need the US in the country to stave off a bloody civil war. Ultimately it is up to Crocker and Cheney to convince the Grand Ayatollah Sistani that Iraq  is better off with a permanent US presence.