30 Issues in 30 Days is our election year series on the important issues facing the country this election year. Today: Emerging issues of modern warfare and the near future of the U.S. military. Visit the 30 Issue home page for all the conversations.

At Senate confirmation hearings last Thursday, Secretary of Defense designate Leon Panetta said he expects the Iraqi government to request that some U.S. troops stay in Iraq. Combat operations in Iraq ended nearly one year ago but 47,000 U.S. troops remain in the country. In the coming weeks, the U.S. military will begin turning off the lights on the Iraq mission, and the logistical and political implications could be profound.