Iraq projections have gotten worse since "surge"

From the NYT:

The Iraqi defense minister said Monday that his nation would not be able to take full responsibility for its internal security until 2012, nor be able on its own to defend Iraq’s borders from external threat until at least 2018....

His statements were slightly less optimistic than what he told an independent United States commission examining the progress of Iraqi security forces last year, according to the September report of the commission, led by a former NATO commander, Gen. James L. Jones of the Marines, who is retired. Then Mr. Qadir said he expected that Iraq would be able to fully defend its borders by 2018.

First off, 2018? Secondly, his expectation has worsened since the surge? No wonder John McCain said he had no problem with US troops staying in Iraq for another 100 years. I suspect he said that on purpose, to help the Bush administration yet again drag out the timeline, and lower expectations, for "victory." We're simply never leaving. And by the way, glad to see the surge is working. If this is success....