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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: KyrosL who wrote (136210)	6/10/2004 8:21:56 PM
From: stockman_scott	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

HARD TIMES AT THE NEOCON CORRAL.... washingtonmonthly.com Paul Richter writes in the LA Times about tough times for neocons: Fourteen months ago, Kenneth Adelman was one of the prominent neoconservatives who took part in a now-storied victory celebration at the home of Vice President Dick Cheney that was described in Bob Woodward's book "Plan of Attack." Since then, Adelman acknowledged, the group's influence has declined, because "Iraq didn't turn out to be as promising as it was billed." Adelman, a former Reagan administration official, said that although he supported the rationale for the war, he was torn about what had happened since. "I still have to sort it all out. I'm just not settled yet," he said. ...."Bush could end up looking like the worst president since Jimmy Carter because of Iraq, and people are going to say, 'You got us into this mess,' " said one Washington source who considered himself a neoconservative and spoke on the condition of anonymity. "It's going to be nasty and bitter and brutal." The worst president since Jimmy Carter? Harsh words indeed.

To: KyrosL who wrote (136210)	6/10/2004 8:26:57 PM
From: JBTFD	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 281500

<<Do you realize that Sadr may very well run in next year's Iraq elections?>> From where do you get this assessment?

To: KyrosL who wrote (136210)	6/10/2004 9:41:01 PM
From: Sultan	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

The best thing you can hope for Iraq is that it might be Iran Lite.. If not, look at shia/sunni violence to flare up, encouraged by assorted trouble makers..

To: KyrosL who wrote (136210)	6/11/2004 10:15:16 AM
From: carranza2	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

I would be very surprised if Sadr got any significant number of votes. Sistani will make sure he doesn't stand a chance. Plus, Sadr's support is extremely limited. The fact that Sadr may run is terrific. Let's open the souk of ideas for business in the ME! As far as the costs are concerned, clearly one has to make one's own cost/benefit analysis. I think the costs have definitely been worth it so far, though obviously the ultimate result is not known. We no longer have Saddam, which I think, all things considered, is a magnificent achievement. And, yes, I am familiar with all the counter-arguments. One of the most popular ones is the one that suggests that the ME has now been even more de-stabilized. I respond--since when has the ME ever been stable? Our previous policies in the ME have involved propping up thugs and dictators instead of spreading our values. Iran in the 1970s was an object lesson in how foolish that policy had been. I'm thrilled that we are now taking a different tack altogether. I think our national and security interests will be well-served, though I am under no illusions about how difficult the policy will be or how long it will take for it to bear fruit.