The Iraqi burden shifts

Many Iraqis took to the streets Tuesday to celebrate what their government proclaimed as National Sovereignty Day, marking the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq's cities under an agreement made with the Bush administration. But others expressed anxiety, with good reason. The U.S. forces have protected them from their own neighbors.

Sunni residents of Baghdad face uncertain security under Iraqi forces suspected of sectarian, Shia leanings. A recent series of bombings has reignited fears and antagonisms that brought Iraq's majority Shia Muslims and minority Sunni Muslims into open civil strife three years ago.

Outside agents from al-Qaida and Iran helped stoke those fires, and it took the U.S. surge into the cities to restore civic order. Now as the U.S. forces pull back to their bases outside Iraq's cities, they are losing the critical day-to-day, on-the-ground contacts that made the surge successful.

Meanwhile, Iran continues to support violence in Iraq, including many of the attacks in Baghdad in recent weeks. Gen. Ray Odierno, the U.S. commander in Iraq, explained, "Iran is still supporting, funding and training surrogates who operate inside Iraq." Neverthless, the general described the pullout as a "psychologically important day" for the Iraqis and said there's hope they will succeed in maintaining security in the cities. Iraq's security personnel have been trained largely by U.S. forces.

Now the burden of preserving a democratic Iraq that protects minority rights falls squarely on the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who was in a triumphant mood on Tuesday. "This day, which we consider a national celebration, is an achievement made by all Iraqis," he proclaimed. He declared it an "important milestone" for his nation.

In contrast, President Barack Obama called the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq's cities an important step forward but predicted "difficult days ahead" as the U.S. moves toward total withdrawal before 2012.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney, who helped negotiate the withdrawal plan, said Tuesday that at some point the Iraqis will "have to stand on their own." But, he expressed apprehension about the situation: "I would not want to see the U.S. waste all the tremendous sacrifice that has gotten us to this point."

Tuesday's withdrawal is an anxious moment for Iraq. And for the United States.