Finally, Some Honesty about the Iraq Mess – Joseph Galloway, Kansas City Star
The Bush administration and the Pentagon were rocked this week by an unfamiliar outburst of public truth-telling by the admiral President Bush has nominated to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The simple, stark answers on the future of the surge and the prospects of “winning” the war in Iraq that Adm. Mike Mullen gave to the Senate Armed Services Committee came hard on the heels of another embarrassing episode of truthfulness by FBI Director Robert Mueller in the matter of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
Defeatism Defeated? - Thomas Sowell, Washington Times
If victory in Iraq was oversold at the outset, there are now signs defeat is likewise being oversold today. One of the earliest signs of this was that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said he could not wait for Lt. Gen. David Petraeus' September report on conditions in Iraq but tried to get an immediate congressional mandate to pull the troops out. Having waited for years, why could he not wait until September for the report by the general who is on the ground in Iraq every day? Why was it necessary for politicians in Washington to declare the troop surge a failure from 8,000 miles away?
I Have Seen the Horror - Michael Yon, New York Daily News
The current controversy about the extent to which Al Qaeda is a threat to peace in Iraq is a case in point. Questions about which group calling itself an offshoot of Al Qaeda is really an offshoot of Al Qaeda is a distraction masquerading as a debate. Al Qaeda is in Iraq, intentionally inflaming sectarian hostilities, deliberately pushing for full scale civil war. They do this by launching attacks against Shia, Sunni, Kurds and coalition forces. To ensure the attacks provoke counterattacks, they make them particularly gruesome.
The Iraq Shuffle - Matthew Continetti, Weekly Standard
Last week, when the New York Times published an op-ed arguing that Gen. David Petraeus should be allowed more time to pursue his counterinsurgency strategy in Iraq, supporters of President Bush's "surge" got excited. The political momentum seemed to shift in their direction. But Bush's supporters shouldn't get carried away. They are in danger of seriously underestimating the ability of those who believe the war is lost or was always unwinnable to ignore, deny, and attack all news of positive developments. They should not underestimate the popularity of what you might call the Iraq shuffle.
To Bush, Gen. Petraeus is the Second Coming - at Least for Now - Arianna Huffington, Baltimore Sun
Despite the White House's attempts at glorification - by The Washington Post's count, the president has publicly mentioned General Petraeus' name more than 150 times since announcing the surge in January - others in the media have recently joined the chorus of voices warning: Don't believe the hype.
The Turn – William Kristol, Weekly Standard
For the Iraq war's opponents, July began as a month of hope. It ended in retreat. It began with Democratic unity in proclaiming the inevitability of American defeat. It ended with respected military analysts--Democrats, no less!--reporting that the situation on the ground had improved, and that the war might be winnable. It began with a plan for a series of votes in Congress that were supposed to stampede nervous Republicans against the continued prosecution of the war. It ended with the GOP spine stiffened, no antiwar legislation passed, and the Democratic Congress adjourning in disarray, with approval ratings lower than President Bush's. It began with Democratic presidential candidates competing in their antiwar pandering. It ended with them having second thoughts--with Barack Obama, losing ground to Hillary Clinton because he seemed naive about real world threats, frantically suggesting that he would invade Pakistan.
Iraq's Demise: The Situation is Bad and Getting Worse - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editorial
America is drawing near the time it will receive the promised September report on the effect of President Bush's 28,500-troop surge in Iraq. With a month or so to go, it is difficult to imagine how matters there could change appreciably under the surge to justify a continuation of the war. Much importance has been attached to the skills and integrity of on-the-ground commander Gen. David H. Petraeus. At the same time, it is important to remember that he was named and can be replaced by Mr. Bush, a potential constraint on the candor of the report the general will render.
A Rebound in Iraq – New York Post editorial
"Victory" won't come in the form of the ideal democratic state described at the start of the star-crossed enterprise. But that doesn't mean that military and strategic victory isn't possible.
The Iraq Surge - San Diego Union-Tribune editorial
The violence in Baghdad decreased last month, prompting much comment that the American military surge is “working.” We're obviously pleased with fewer deaths and injuries. But we'll hold off on declaring the surge a success. After all, even Bush administration experts have warned for years that Iraq requires a political solution, not a military one. And on that front, the news is anything but good.
Defeatist Democrats - Jack Kelly, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Kan., walked out of a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee because she couldn't stand to listen to what retired Gen. Jack Keane, former vice chief of staff of the Army, was saying. "There is only so much you can take until we in fact had to leave the room for a while ... after so much frustration of having to listen to what we listened to," Ms. Boyda explained to reporters later.
Getting Iraq Wrong - Michael Ignatieff, Globe and Mail
The unfolding catastrophe in Iraq has condemned the political judgment of a president. But it has also condemned the judgment of many others, myself included, who as commentators supported the invasion. Many of us believed, as an Iraqi exile friend told me the night the war started, that it was the only chance the members of his generation would have to live in freedom in their own country. How distant a dream that now seems.
The Arsenal of the Iraq Insurgency - John J. Tkacik Jr., Weekly Standard
This year, many truckloads of small arms and explosives direct from Chinese government-owned factories to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards have been transshipped to Iraq and Afghanistan, where they are used against American soldiers and Marines and NATO forces. Since April, according to a knowledgeable Bush administration official, "vast amounts" of Chinese-made large caliber sniper rifles, "millions of rounds" of ammunition, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and "IED [improvised explosive device] components" have been convoyed from Iran into Iraq and to the Taliban in Afghanistan.
The Iraq Shuffle - Matthew Continetti, Weekly Standard
Last week, when the New York Times published an op-ed arguing that Gen. David Petraeus should be allowed more time to pursue his counterinsurgency strategy in Iraq, supporters of President Bush's "surge" got excited. The political momentum seemed to shift in their direction. But Bush's supporters shouldn't get carried away. They are in danger of seriously underestimating the ability of those who believe the war is lost or was always unwinnable to ignore, deny, and attack all news of positive developments. They should not underestimate the popularity of what you might call the Iraq shuffle.
Seize the Moment – Oliver North, Washington Times
On the substance of the big question, it seems the U.S./British "Special Relationship" is still solid. "He gets it," Mr. Bush said of the prime minister's stance on terrorism. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the masters of the media. For nearly two years, the potentates of the press have slavishly followed liberal dogma and told us the war in Iraq is all but lost; that the region will never embrace democracy and that young Americans are dying needlessly there. Even before the "troop surge" was under way, they were telling us it wouldn't work.
We're Still the World's Caped Crusader – Robert Kagan, Los Angeles Times
The world has not been transformed. Nations remain as strong as ever, and so too the nationalist ambitions, the passions and the competition among nations that have shaped history. It's true that the world is still "unipolar," and the United States remains the only superpower. But international competition among great powers has returned, with the United States, Russia, China, Europe, Japan, India, Iran and others vying for regional predominance. Struggles for power, influence, honor and status in the world have once again become key features of the international scene.
The Mideast Needs More Guns? – Boston Globe editorial
The last thing the Middle East needs is a new round of arms sales, but that is what the Bush administration wants Congress to approve, the better to contain Iran's bid for dominance in the region. Under its current leadership, Tehran is a threat to regional stability. But that threat is best contained through diplomacy and a clear statement that, whatever happens in Iraq, US forces will not leave the region altogether.
Musharraf's Obsolete Way – Jim Hoagland, Washington Post
Musharraf's long run as President Bush's personal favorite among Third World leaders is in such serious trouble that some administration officials have quietly conducted a review of the general's ability to survive. Their conclusion -- that he can continue to hang on -- may well ignore changing Pakistani and international realities.
Nostra Culpa – Michael Kinsley, Time
Although--or perhaps because--I manufacture opinions for a living, I am always amazed at the things people are willing to express opinions about. Is the "surge" working? Is there likely to be a terrorist attack in the next few months? Are "most of the insurgents in Iraq today ... under the command of Osama bin Laden"? These are not matters of opinion. The correct answer may be unknown (e.g., the success of the surge), or it may be known perfectly well (e.g., bin Laden does not control most of the Iraqi insurgents), but one thing the correct answer is not is a matter of opinion.
Military Justice: Someone has to Pay - Dan Thomasson, Washington Times
An old soldier once remarked that combining the words "military" and "justice" produces an oxymoron more aimed at finding a scapegoat to protect the particular service and those at its highest levels than producing any semblance of fairness. But when the spotlight gets too hot someone has to be found to pay for the damage, and all bets are off about whom that might be.
Jihadi Galaxy in Pakistan – Claude Salhani, Washington Times
The eruption of violence resulting in many casualties in Pakistan when the Islamists entrenched in the Red Mosque in Islamabad clashed with government troops storming the compound is just the tip of the jihadi iceberg President Pervez Musharraf faces. Islamist groups outlawed by the Pakistani government several years ago fell back on social networks, a classic strategy of Islamist organizations, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon or Hamas in the Palestinian territories.
Barack Obama, Neocon – Wall Street Journal editorial
Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama is taking heat from liberals and conservatives alike for his comment that he wouldn't hesitate to send U.S. troops into Pakistan to capture or kill al Qaeda leaders. Actually, it's the best thing we've heard yet from the junior U.S. Senator from Illinois.
The Vanishing Jihad Exposés - Mark Steyn, Orange County Register
The war will be lost incrementally because we are unable to reverse the ongoing radicalization of Muslim populations in South Asia, Indonesia, the Balkans, Western Europe and, yes, North America. And who's behind that radicalization? Who funds the mosques and Islamic centers that in the past 30 years have set up shop on just about every Main Street around the planet?
Defense Procurement – James Lyons, Washington Times
Over the years defense procurement programs have provided our military forces the necessary resources which has resulted in our having the most sophisticated and technically superior combat forces in the world today. Our technical superiority is a recognized force multiplier. However, many of these programs have taken more than a decade to produce, primarily due to incorporating requirements and specifications that require overreaching performance criteria and reliability.
Defending Against Rockets – James Hackett, Washington Times
For years, missile defense opponents claimed defenses could not distinguish warheads from decoys and other penetration aids. The solution, they said, was to stop missiles in the first two or three minutes of flight, known as the boost phase, before warheads and decoys are released. The Missile Defense Agency is trying to meet that challenge with the Airborne Laser (ABL), the nation's primary boost-phase program. But this year, the congressional armed services committees made deep cuts in that program. Those cuts should be reversed.
Rising Sun Setback - Richard Halloran, Washington Times
More than Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Liberal Democratic Party have been set back by the drubbing they took in last Sunday's election in Japan. An opportunity for leadership in Asia has faded. A chance to overcome the "demons of history" left from World War II has slipped away. The time to revise the pacifist constitution and to shoulder more of the common defense has been delayed. And Japan's negotiating position has been weakened in talks intended to foil North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
The U.S. Army vs. The New Republic – Michael Goldfarb, Weekly Standard
The Confederate Yankee has posted an email from Col. Steven Boylan, Public Affairs Officer for General David Petraeus, announcing the results of the Army's investigation into the allegations made by Scott Thomas Beauchamp:
To your question: Were there any truth to what was being said by Thomas?
Answer: An investigation of the allegations were conducted by the command and found to be false. In fact, members of Thomas' platoon and company were all interviewed and no one could substantiate his claims.
As to what will happen to him?
Answer: As there is no evidence of criminal conduct, he is subject to Administrative punishment as determined by his chain of command. Under the various rules and regulations, administrative actions are not releasable to the public by the military on what does or does not happen.
Surveillance Cameras Strike Balance in Fight Against Terrorism - Clark Kent Ervin, Baltimore Sun
Among the many urgent questions raised by 9/11 was how, exactly, to strike the optimal balance between security, on the one hand, and civil rights and civil liberties on the other. At times since 9/11, the government has weighed in too heavily on the side of security. The domestic call tracking program is a conspicuous case in point.
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