I didn't hear Bush's speech on our current Iraq strategy this week nor did I read anything about it on our vacation, but reading the speech on the White House web site led me to the title of this posting. I'd like to comment on some of the "bullet points" in the executive summary.
Victory in Iraq is a vital U.S. interest.
It sure is a vital interest now that we have invaded it and made it the best recruiting vehicle the terrorists have. Could the bombers of London, Madrid and Bali be more emboldened by our leaving Iraq? I doubt it.
Failure is not an option.
It's a nice saying, but may be more wishful thinking than a statement of fact. Bush's words about Middle East reformers never again trusting us assumes that they trust us now, given our unalloyed support of Israel and Arab autocracies.
The Enemy is diffuse and sophisticated.
Bush fails to see that our occupation itself is now a reason for people joining and supporting the insurgency.
In discussing the 'security track' Bush does not mention the 'oil spot' theory of Andrew Kripenevich that has attracted the support of many including McCain.
The speech is short of many details and is riddled with inaccuracies but it is a start.
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