National Interest editor Nik Gvosdev observes that, “We now have such a stylized Kabuki dance when discussing Iraq policy that the statements and reactions can be predicted and scripted in advance.” He offers an outline for a speech aimed at an Iraq policy “grounded in what is achievable” that “can endure a change in administrations.”

He’s right, though, that no candidate from either party can or will say these things because “our habit of thinking only in terms of two- and four-year election cycles make the emergence of a long-term counter-terrorism policy supported by political consensus a chimera.” That’s unlikely to change any time soon.