I'm not much interested in the views of anyone who supports a clearly winnable (now being won ) war and then abandons support when it gets tough.

I prefer the opinions of adults who understand that some undertakings, once begun, must be seen through to their conclusion. The alternative to the difficulites in Iraq is a glorious victory for al Qaeda and destruction of respect for America's military.

What moderate Arab would agaiin put their trust in a nation that could be so easily defeated; indeed a nation that would defeat itself for partisan purposes.

Winnie would be weeping for the English speaking peoples were he still alive. The children nearly took over. They may yet.

I’m still fairly new at politics, so am not sure what an “Old Right libertarian” is, unless it has to do with ‘non-interventionists’. As far as the “Iraq policy” goes, I have supported it and ‘W’, and Stratfor gave an interesting take on it yesterday (some excerpts):

Annual Forecast 2008: Beyond the Jihadist War

There are three major global processes under way that will continue to work themselves out in 2008. First, the U.S.-jihadist war is entering its final phase…It is a presidential election year in the United States, which remains the center of gravity of the international system.

Normally in an election year, U.S. attention on global affairs dwindles precipitously, allowing other powers to set the agenda. That will not be the case, however, in 2008. U.S. President George W. Bush is not up for re-election, and there is no would-be successor from the administration in the race; this frees up all of the administration’s bandwidth for whatever activities it wishes…All of the Bush administration’s energy will instead be focused on foreign affairs, since such activities do not require public or congressional approval. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, 2008 will see the United States acting with the most energy and purpose it has had since the months directly after the 9/11 attack.

The Iraq war was an outgrowth of the jihadist war. After the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, the United States realized it lacked the military wherewithal to simultaneously deal with the four powers that made al Qaeda possible: Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran and Pakistan. The first phase of the Bush solution was to procure an anchor against Afghanistan by forcing Pakistan into an alliance. The second was to invade the state that bordered the other three — Iraq — in order to intimidate the remaining trio into cooperating against al Qaeda. The final stage was to press both wars until al Qaeda…broke.

As 2008 dawns, it has become apparent that though this strategy engendered many unforeseen costs, it has proven successful at grinding al Qaeda into nonfunctionality. Put simply, the jihadist war is all but over; the United States not only is winning but also has an alliance with the entire constellation of Sunni powers that made al Qaeda possible in the first place.

This leaves Iran, the regions only non-Sunni power, in the uncomfortable position of needing to seek an arrangement with the United States…

..This means 2008 will be similar to 2007 in many ways: It will be a year of opportunity for those powers that would take advantage of the United States’ ongoing distraction. However, they will face a complication that was absent in 2007: a deadline. The Iraqi logjam is broken. Unlike in 2007, when Iraq appeared to be a quagmire and other powers therefore sensed endless opportunity, those hostile to U.S. interests realize that they only have a limited window in which to reshape their regions…

..The state with the greatest need to take advantage of this U.S. occupation, bar none, is the Russian Federation. Moscow knows full well that when the Americans are finished with their efforts in the Middle East, the bulk of their attention will return to the former Soviet Union…

.. This will be a year in which the United States achieves more success in its foreign policies than it has since the ousting of the Taliban from Afghanistan in late 2001…

Personally, that entire area had grown far too bold, and needed to know that America was not going to wait in a ‘Fish Barrel’ to be picked-off at the enemies leisure, whilst they also sought to cut-off the oil supply and/or charge $300-500 a barrel for the oil.

Like you said, Brad, General Petraeus and our Military have done a great job, and the results of the surge has left most all unprepared and surprised. Not much on the news about it now, since the “American New Left” has been proven wrong. Lots of work left, but I believe ‘W’ will leave America on the ‘best-foot’ possible, knowing what happened the last time, i.e. Clinton blowing the efforts of the first Gulf War.

Sorry about the length here…

It's too much irony to process. You wrote a book about a world where the Nazis got the bomb, and
apparently won the Space Race, and the world imminently more repressive and brutish for it.
As you would say, German ultranationalism is just a temporary element, nothing to really worry about. You are right to stick up for General Petraeus; but logic dictates that you support his mission as well. Could it be said that the neocons were a little naive about the amount of change needed in the Middle East because of the
warning signs exhibited by 9/11. I'm willing to grant that point, if you come up with a viable
alternative. You think American nationalism is outmoded, and jingoistic; consider who will fill
the vaccuum of American power. You want to pull out of the closest neighbor to our real enemies in Saudi Arabia, Syria & Iran. What will that earn you, nothing but scorn and contempt from these same enemies; and further attacks upon our shore, our homes, schools, etc

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