I rushed home last evening to catch President Bush’s big speech on the future of Iraq. I like when Bush makes clear what’s going on and what we need to do. Unfortuately we can expect a similar address no earlier than April, I’m afraid, since 3 1/2 months is about his average “off” time between caring about Iraq in public. However, there were a few things that I liked:
- We’re changing the rules of engagement! Finally, we’ll let our soldiers actual fight a war, rather than dodge law suits.
- We have a plan with a stated military goal on Baghdad! There is not one specific, tactical, major non-political military goal that we have not achieved to date. That tells me we’re in it to win it.
- The Libs and Democrats hate it! The whining actually began before the speech last night and continues to this moment. Great– now vote to defund the troop increase. I dare you!
- The President promoted a similar model for “winning the peace” as pushed by Thomas PM Barnett in his 2004 book, The Pentagon’s New Map. Barnett has had the ear of people in the Pentagon since this book came out years ago. I love Barnett’s theories and think he’s probably the new George Kennan. It’s a complicated theory for those not familiar with globalization and how it may fit in with the War on Terror, but it is worth a read. After having read two of Barnett’s books and three of his articles, I believe Bush’s advisors must have had a chat with Barnett on fixing Iraq while we secure it in the next few months.
- He prepared the nation for more bloodshed. As Gauvin pointed out just below, he needs to be a step ahead of the media at all times. That, or at least set the agenda and stick with it in front of both the cameras and the people.
Axis of Right 