There is something to be said for #2: eyes are on the voting public, I agree. Not so sure I agree with end.
With regard to #1: After this administration ends, it will be interesting to find out what the generals really thought and the exact role of Rumsfeld. It will all come out.
There are also some positive unplanned developments, too: a changing attitude among citizens of Muslim nations about extremists and democracy; the realization that the so-called "Arab Street" didn't really exist; the changing realities in Libya, Lebanon, Syria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, and Iran (some minor, some major, but all with great potential). These are fragile things, for sure.
The "insurgency" is a small subset of the larger Sunni population. The suicide bombers we hear so much of are almost entirely not drawn from that insurgent base: they are foreign nationals.
It seems to me the longer the Sunnis hold out on making a deal, the less likely they will like the result, because, if you are right, and we are preparing to declare victory and go home, and this insurgency continues, Sunni Iraqis are quite likely to become extinct.
Sorry, have to go. |
