This opinion piece attacking the superficial mainstream news coverage of Iraq (from reporters largely within the Green Zone, and moved to cover "fresh" topics of economy and elections) details our Pentagon and State Dept. commitments to a very long stay. There are several sources cited and links to others, and the analysis seems sound; a lack of Iraq reconstruction, dysfunctional politics, and dependence on U.S for security may enmesh us indefinitely, and will be a challenge to succeeding administrations who espouse the early departure desired by a huge majority of American voters. There is no framework to define our goals in the Middle East, or potential consequences of our occupation.