Whats this shit, Spencer? Aiding and abetting the witch-hunt?

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/12/29/wired_1/index.html

The withdrawal of forces agreement [Status of Forces Agreement or SOFA] expires on Dec. 31, 2011.

Not exactly.
from CRS:

On November 26, 2007, President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki co-signed the Declaration of Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship Between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America, which set out a number of issues concerning, among other things, a security agreement between the United States and Iraq. Since the announcement, the Administration has announced that there will be two agreements negotiated, a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) providing the legal basis between the two countries for the continued presence and operation of U.S. armed forces in Iraq once the U.N. Security Council mandate expires on December 31, 2008, and a Strategic Framework agreement (together with the SOFA, the “Iraq Agreements” or “Agreements”) to cover the overall bilateral relationship between the two countries. http://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL34568.pdf

While an “agreement on a long term relationship” ought to be a treaty and be subject to Senate advice and consent according to the Constituion, this was not done despite congressional pleas. The House held some hearings without the benefit of presidential cooperation, the Senate in late 2008 under the control of Obama/Biden didn’t. On the Iraqi side there was considerable review and debate.

So it is only an executive agreement and not a treaty, which makes it easier to change. It’s yet another expansion of executive privilege.

A SOFA is normally merely an agreement that defines the legal position of a visiting military force deployed in the territory of a friendly state.

This “SOFA” agreement is not actually a SOFA. It is actually, as PM Maliki says, a withdrawal of forces agreement. It is entitled “Agreement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq On the Withdrawal of United States Forces from Iraq and the Organization of Their Activities during Their Temporary Presence in Iraq” (extracts follow)

Article 24
Withdrawal of the United States Forces from Iraq

Recognizing the performance and increasing capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces, the assumption of full security responsibility of those Forces, and based upon the strong relationship between the Parties, an agreement on the following has been reached:
1. All the United States Forces shall withdraw from all Iraqi territory no later than December 31, 2011. http://media.mcclatchydc.com/smedia/2008/11/25/17/SOFA-official.source.prod_affiliate.91.pdf

Then there’s the Strategic Framework Agreement
Strategic Framework Agreement for a Relationship of Friendship and Cooperation between the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq (extracts)

Reaffirming that such a long-term relationship in economic, diplomatic, cultural and security fields will contribute to the strengthening and development of democracy in Iraq, as well as ensuring that Iraq will assume full responsibility for its security, the safety of its people, and maintaining peace within Iraq and among the countries of the region.

In order to strengthen security and stability in Iraq, and thereby contribute to international peace and stability, and to enhance the ability of the Republic of Iraq to deter all threats against its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, the Parties shall continue to foster close cooperation concerning defense and security arrangements without prejudice to Iraqi sovereignty over its land, sea, and air territory. Such security and defense cooperation shall be undertaken pursuant to the Agreement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq on the Withdrawal of United States Forces from Iraq and the Organization of Their Activities during Their Temporary Presence in Iraq.

The Parties may enter into further agreements or arrangements as necessary and appropriate to implement this Agreement.

This Agreement may be amended with the mutual written agreement of the Parties and in accordance with the constitutional procedures in effect in both countries

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/national/iraq-strategic-framework-agreement.htm