Panetta to Iraq: Make a Decision

Politico reports:

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta let his frustration about Iraqi officials’ indecision on whether to request that U.S. troops stay in the country past the end of the year show while talking to troops in Baghdad on Monday, saying, “Damn it, make a decision.”

Panetta’s remarks came ahead of meeting with Iraqi officials where he was expected to push them to make a formal request for some troops to stay beyond Dec. 31. Some Iraqi officials have already said they want U.S. forces to stay, but must request the Pentagon to do so.

Almost all of the 46,000 American troops still there are set to leave in the coming months, and though many Iraqi leaders agree there’s a need for some continued U.S. presence, they’ve been unwilling so far to make a formal request.