Baker's Panel Rules Out Iraq Victory

Well, at last a panel of 'experts' agrees with me! I could have saved them a lot of time and money had they but asked. From The New York Sun.

A commission formed to assess the Iraq war and recommend a new course has ruled out the prospect of victory for America, according to draft policy options shared with The New York Sun by commission officials.

Instead, the commission is headed toward presenting President Bush with two clear policy choices that contradict his rhetoric of establishing democracy in Iraq. The more palatable of the two choices for the White House, "Stability First," argues that the military should focus on stabilizing Baghdad while the American Embassy should work toward political accommodation with insurgents. The goal of nurturing a democracy in Iraq is dropped.

They also shed light on what is at stake in the coming 2 1/2 months for the Iraqi government. The "Redeploy and Contain" option calls for the phased withdrawal of American soldiers from Iraq, though the working groups have yet to say when and where those troops will go. The document, read over the telephone to the Sun, says America should "make clear to allies and others that U.S. redeployment does not reduce determination to attack terrorists wherever they are." It also says America's top priority should be minimizing American casualties in Iraq.

I heartily agree with minimizing American casualties being the top priority. It sounds like they are recommending "redeployment" to "contain" a Baghdad enclave. I think 140,000 troops could probably "stabilize" Baghdad. An enclave mentality would surrender the rest of Iraq to whatever. Fine.

I think they should particularly stabilize the area around the airport, so the "redeployment" of the troops to the United States could proceed swiftly and unimpeded.

Because of the politically explosive topic of the Baker commission, the panel has agreed not to release its findings until after the November 7 elections. The commission, formally known as the Iraq Study Group, was created by Congress in legislation sponsored by Rep. Frank Wolf, a Republican of Virginia and close confidant of Mr. Bush's. Mr. Baker has said he will likely present the panel's findings in December.

Heh. I think the "politically explosive" remark refers to the fact that Bush's head is likely to explode when the group tells him he's had his head up his ass the whole time. Luckily, the explosion will be contained, because he still does.

I think it was Lawrence O'Donnell who said this study would be leaked prior to the elections. Him plenty smart pundit.

Please read the rest.