This is not the end of the line as far as the constitution is concerned, and in fact it is unclear how things will pan out from here. There will be a referendum on the constitution on October 15, and the Sunnis can stall its passage if they are able to muster a 2/3 majority in the three provinces with a Sunni majority population.

The points of difference between the two sides -- federalism, debaathification, women's rights, and the role of religion -- are real and need to be addressed. However, the issues over which the constitutional negotiations have apparently broken down only point to a small part of what the real problem is.

The real problem is the continuing presence of US troops in the country and tight US control over all aspects of the nation building efforts. The US has long argued that its presence is necessary to contain the violence and to maintain some semblance of law and order. The truth, however, is that it is the US presence that is fueling much of the violence.

Furthermore, the perceived US tilt towards the Shi'ites and Kurds is not helping in the constitutional negotiations. Neither is the perception that it is more concerned with its own interests and public opinion at home than with what would be best for the Iraqis.

These problems could be very much alleviated if the US were to announce plans for an orderly and dignified withdrawal of its troops. As of yet, there appear to be no signs of this on the horizon, in fact, if recent reports are to be credited, quite the opposite.

For something positive to come of this quagmire that Iraq has descended into, the Iraqis must be permitted to manage their own affairs. As long as the country remains under US military occupation and the US remains as the crucial peace-broker, things will continue to slide down-hill.