Iraqis consider alternative deal for U.S. presence

The United States and Iraq have held protracted and contentious negotiations in recent months over the conditions for the continued American military presence in Iraq.

The aim was to work out what's called a "status of forces" agreement, or SOFA. But NPR has learned that Iraqi negotiators are now looking at alternatives.

Several Iraqi politicians say a status of forces agreement between Iraq and the United States looks increasingly unlikely.