The only people with any hope of cutting down on the sectarian violence are going to be the neighbouring countries, especially Iran and Syria.

That would realistically have to mean inviting them to move in troops, to replace the Americans and the British as they are withdrawn.

An apology to the people of Iraq might make the process easier.

But that's not going to happen. It'll be a matter of slogging on deeper into the Big Muddy for a while longer, and then, at some arbitrary time pulling out as fast as possible. And if that's going to happen anyway, the sooner the better.