Watch part two

US president Barack Obama's announcement to pull out US combat troops out of Iraq in 18 months has prompted many observers to wonder whether this is a pullout or a redeployment.

Iran blasted the intended slow pace and spurred Iraqi president Nouri al-Maliki to demand a faster US departure.

The firebrand Muqtada al-Sadr wants all US soldiers out of Iraq by the end of 2011.

But that is unlikely to happen. A large US force will remain behind, along with several large bases.

Although Iraqi political factions have reacted differently to Obama's plan, most Iraqis are optimistic that they will learn to live together peacefully without a large occupying force.

Our guests this week are Richard Schmiere, US deputy assistant secretary of state, George Joffe, a British political analyst, and Sayed Mohammad Marandi, an Iranian political analyst.

This episode of Inside Iraq aired Friday, March 6, 2009 at 1730GMT