do to achieve our results. nobody wants to face up to that. there's really no vital national security interest at stake on the ground in iraq. there's a long-term interest, but not one that we could get support from the american people. >> and for you, michael, specifically about the issue of iran. all of a sudden, we have the u.s. and iran who in some ways share a desire to see a stronger government there. iran clearly would like to prop up maliki. we'd like to see a more unified government there. what role will they play and what will our intersection be with them? >> we won't be work with them tactically or on a military front but i think politically. and iran plays a key role in pressuring the shia government not to support maliki and to be more inclusive with sunnis. once the iranians do that and you have grand ayatollah sistani, not supporting maliki, you at least have an opportunity for a more inclusive government. and u.s. military support, in my