all u.s. forces out by 2011, that is a binding international agreement negotiated with the iraqis. the second is a unilateral obligation that president obama said a month after coming to augus office, at the end of august, down to 50,000 troops. >> that rise? >> you have to be testing assumptions. we have no idea what is happening day to day and the assumptions under lining that withdrawal are called into question. >> would you agree that, ambassador crocker, given the level of violence now, and not just since the election but before the election as well? >> the violence is a concern but also predictable. the iraqis are tough people. i think they will withstand this. this it is not the violence that concerns me so much, as simply the tough politics of government formation. i think mr. allawi with was optimistic when he said a government could be formed in two months. i think the more realistic deadline is the beginning of ramadan at the -- at the start of august. >> but that -- >> so i worry about a decision