Iraqis could still kick out U.S. troops

The new troop agreement between Iraq and the United States contains a provision that could prove problematic:

One concession obtained by the Sunnis in return for their eventual support was a post-facto referendum to test public support for the pact, to be held by the end of July next year. Rejection would trigger a mechanism by which Iraq could withdraw from the deal in a year.

You can bet that a number of Iraqi groups, such as the supporters of Moqtada al-Sadr, will try to whip up public sentiment against the pact, ratcheting up tensions. Still, it's not like the United States would have to leave immediately if the referendum succeeds -- we're talking about the difference between 2010 and 2011 here.