Opening The Files: 11/22/06
(Bumped and updated)
Iraq: Bigger, Longer and Uncut and Run.
Sunday, The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon is reviewing three options for improving the situation in Iraq. The options are cheekily labeled "Go Big" (more troops), "Go Long" (pull out some troops but hunker down the rest for a long stay) and "Go Home" (bug out). And even though President Bush hasn't committed to any troop level changes, we already know that by his limited math leaving = losing. So naturally the Pentagoners are leaning toward a hybrid of #1 and #2 called "Go Big but Short While Transitioning to Go Long." (otherwise known as "One last push to buy some time until we can pass the buck")
The NY Times confirmed that the military is indeed seriously considering this fourth option, though they labeled it the "surge option". This "surge" will supposedly be brief, long enough to tamp down on the violence and to shore up the advisers training Iraqi troops. But given the problems we've had, it's debatable how much impact this latest effort will have.
And regardless of what name it's given, I doubt it will go over well with those Iraqis who fear the US is setting up permanent residence in their country. An overwhelmingly high percentage of them want to see us gone. But then their opinion has never mattered to the Bush administration before so why should this time be any different?
Of course things are different now. Bush is just not as popular as he use to be. It's so bad that Bush 41, who polls better than his presidential progeny, is having to defend him from criticism.
And in a sign of our waning influence, Iran and Syria are reaching out to their troubled neighbor.
First off, mad props to Shakes who noticed the sexual connotations of the Pentagon's plan. Her call for jokes about Iraq being fornicated was the inspiration for the caption to this OTF. Send her some love.
Meteor Blades reminds us of the last time the Bush administration presented a grand plan for victory in Iraq. That worked out so well they don't even bring it up anymore.
Bush said he hasn't made any decisions about troop levels. Why does that sound so familiar?
Spencer Ackerman and Azael tell us about the "Go Long" option.
Tim Grieve reminds us of all the things going on while the UnDecider waits to makes a decideration.
Eugene Robinson tells us about the only real option.
President Bush is set to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Maliki in Jordan next week. Given the recent flirtations of the beleaguered Iraqi government, Truthdig thinks it might make for a very awkward meeting.
And finally, The General has a simple pictorial showing the options we face.
(Filed at State of the Day)
Iraq: Bigger, Longer and Uncut and Run.
Sunday, The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon is reviewing three options for improving the situation in Iraq. The options are cheekily labeled "Go Big" (more troops), "Go Long" (pull out some troops but hunker down the rest for a long stay) and "Go Home" (bug out). And even though President Bush hasn't committed to any troop level changes, we already know that by his limited math leaving = losing. So naturally the Pentagoners are leaning toward a hybrid of #1 and #2 called "Go Big but Short While Transitioning to Go Long." (otherwise known as "One last push to buy some time until we can pass the buck")
The NY Times confirmed that the military is indeed seriously considering this fourth option, though they labeled it the "surge option". This "surge" will supposedly be brief, long enough to tamp down on the violence and to shore up the advisers training Iraqi troops. But given the problems we've had, it's debatable how much impact this latest effort will have.
And regardless of what name it's given, I doubt it will go over well with those Iraqis who fear the US is setting up permanent residence in their country. An overwhelmingly high percentage of them want to see us gone. But then their opinion has never mattered to the Bush administration before so why should this time be any different?
Of course things are different now. Bush is just not as popular as he use to be. It's so bad that Bush 41, who polls better than his presidential progeny, is having to defend him from criticism.
And in a sign of our waning influence, Iran and Syria are reaching out to their troubled neighbor.
First off, mad props to Shakes who noticed the sexual connotations of the Pentagon's plan. Her call for jokes about Iraq being fornicated was the inspiration for the caption to this OTF. Send her some love.
Meteor Blades reminds us of the last time the Bush administration presented a grand plan for victory in Iraq. That worked out so well they don't even bring it up anymore.
Bush said he hasn't made any decisions about troop levels. Why does that sound so familiar?
Spencer Ackerman and Azael tell us about the "Go Long" option.
Tim Grieve reminds us of all the things going on while the UnDecider waits to makes a decideration.
Eugene Robinson tells us about the only real option.
President Bush is set to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Maliki in Jordan next week. Given the recent flirtations of the beleaguered Iraqi government, Truthdig thinks it might make for a very awkward meeting.
And finally, The General has a simple pictorial showing the options we face.
(Filed at State of the Day)
Labels: OTF
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