Not sure anything will change in November, even if you do not count the above comments about Obama's attitude to Iran. Its been my experience that most new governments, even ones from opposing parties to the previous regime, seem to spend most of their term(s) either supporting or apologising for the previous regime's mistakes rather than actually changing them. The time it takes to get any changes in policy made in any (so called) democracy is just too long for any sudden reversals to be plausible or desirable.

I say 'so called' democracy BTW out of a personal belief that no government in existence today is an actual true democracy because the needs of the few in all cases seem to outweigh those of the many.

I agree that pulling out of Iraq now will cause more problems than it will solve. It was better to never go there in the first place. However, it is a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation as the dissident groups will keep kicking up a fuss so long as you stay and if you leave they will tear the country apart.

I do wonder if what is needed is some very neutral mediator - someone with no islamic connections and no connections to western europe or north america. I wonder if such a person exists?