But, judging by Iraqi politicians’ inability to form a new government months after national elections, their failure to provide essential services, and, above all, the continuing deadly violence, nation-building in Iraq is far from complete. The Obama administration may want to reconsider its commitment to leave and, instead, negotiate a new accord (one that would allow as many as 20,000 US troops to stay in Iraq for years to come) if and when a new Iraqi government emerges.