It looks like the Status of Forces Agreement accepted by the Iraqi cabinet today (and expected to be ratified soon by the parliament) is a tremendous breakthrough. Details include:

placing US forces in Iraq under the authority of the Iraqi government

US forces to leave the streets of Iraq's towns and villages by the middle of 2009

US forces to hand over their bases to Iraq during the course of 2009

US forces to lose the authority to raid Iraqi homes without an order from an Iraqi judge and permission of the government.

It couldn't have happened without an incoming administration that wanted this kind of timetable. Obama hasn't set official policy for a single day yet, but his platform is already affecting the status quo.