Is Barack Obama returning from his visits to Afghanistan and Iraq with perhaps an altered view on Iraq? It's hard to say, but his view of Afghanistan remains unequivocal: It is the central front in the war on terrorism; he would deploy at least 10,000 more U.S. combat troops there; and he fears that a long-term military presence in Iraq will detract from that fight.

The Democrats took control of Congress with the commitment to implement a specific timetable for U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. In the event, the Democrats weren't able to pull off the timetable, and the success of the surge has eased the pressure to fulfill that promise.

Obama has long called for a timetable to withdraw from Iraq, often specifying 16 months for that to be accomplished. "When I am commander in chief," he says, "I will set a new goal on day one: I will end this war."

But his campaign Web site is more guarded, calling for "a responsible, phased withdrawal" in consultation with the U.S. military commanders on the ground and the Iraqi government. Oh, and there would be "a residual force" to conduct counterterrorism operations - and how is this not combat? - and to protect American diplomatic and civilian personnel, as of now our largest foreign mission.