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Born at the Crest of the Empire

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Bush: "Stay the course," but harder

This is really unbelievable. Bush is planning an escalation.
President George Bush has told senior advisers that the US and its allies must make "a last big push" to win the war in Iraq and that instead of beginning a troop withdrawal next year, he may increase US forces by up to 20,000 soldiers, according to sources familiar with the administration's internal deliberations.....

"You've got to remember, whatever the Democrats say, it's Bush still calling the shots. He believes it's a matter of political will. That's what [Henry] Kissinger told him. And he's going to stick with it," a former senior administration official said. "He [Bush] is in a state of denial about Iraq. Nobody else is any more. But he is. But he knows he's got less than a year, maybe six months, to make it work. If it fails, I expect the withdrawal process to begin next fall."....

Four-point strategy

· Increase US troop levels by up to 20,000 to secure Baghdad and allow redeployments elsewhere in Iraq

· Focus on regional cooperation with international conference and/or direct diplomatic involvement of countries such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia

· Revive reconciliation process between Sunni, Shia and others

· Increased resources from Congress to fund training and equipment of Iraqi security forces

Incredible. So, it's try everything once more. It seems my prediction of a coming escalation point was unfortunately correct.

By the way, why does this leak? If this is the administration's plan, they'd need to lay some serious political groundwork in the current environment, so was this leaked this early by someone who recognizes the colossal mistake this would be and wants to torpedo it?

Later: Mephi points out the possibility of this as a trial ballon. That's not a bad guess considering the completeness of the leak (it's not just the worst part, escalation.) Also, the fact that it appears in the Guardian rather than the WaPo or NYTimes indicates that it's not intended for a massive debilitating effect. So, maybe that's the reason for the "leak."

If this is a trial balloon, we all need to scream like hell. We don't need a year more of death to know that this won't work.

4 Comments:

  • Echoes of Vietnam. Next is bombing Iran and "Iraqification." You already have Abizaid calling for no cuts in troops (today's NYT) and Zinni considering an increase.

    It's quite possible that this was leaked against the administration's wishes by an establishment underling. It's also possible that this was leaked intentionally to be a trial balloon with plausible deniability.

    The one thing to consider is that this actually may be a sign of a shift in course. Realists like Baker were opposed to the war when it began but are actually quite intent on a policy of stabilization at this point. That Bush is considering this idea might actually be taken as a sign of decreased Neocon power.

    ---
    le-enfant-terrible.blogspot.com

    By Blogger mephi, at 10:03 PM  

  • I think trial balloon is a real possibility, mainly because of the completeness of the release, and the the fact that it's the Guardian not the WaPo or NYTimes.

    I added trial ballon to the possibilities. Thanks.

    And, I also came to the idea that it indicates a shift in course, but also that such a shift would also be a year away.

    I don't think the neocons have much influence on Iraq at this point. (Iran?) I think this is more about Bush's redemption.

    Mike

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 10:31 PM  

  • Sad to understand that Bush really thinks this is the right thing to do. He truely thinks History will judge him correct.
    His polls are low, his party has just been tossed out, and he only has 2 years.
    It won't be the first time that young Americans have died for the dilusions of their President.

    By Blogger Unknown, at 1:36 AM  

  • Let me say one thing. If they had "pulled off" Iraq, it would've been huge and historic as Bush has repeatedly painted it. But any realistic evaluation of post saddam Iraq ahowed there was never any reason to believe that they could pull it off.

    And just because it's not the first time, doesn't take away even one bit of the wrong of it.

    Mike

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 7:33 AM  

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