A reasonable check list on The American Conservative, by former DoS "whistle blower" Peter van Buren:
A guide to the spin, empty gestures, and behind-the-scene players that will determine the fate of America's re-entry into Iraq.
Link:A guide to the spin, empty gestures, and behind-the-scene players that will determine the fate of America's re-entry into Iraq.

Elsewhere I've read comments by ret'd US military leaders that it will take up to three years to rebuild the Iraqi state forces and the FT has an excellent article (behind a reistration wall) using the fall of an army base as an illustration:http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/ceb48014-4...#axzz3EoJ2hviA