Memo to neocons:
Next time you have a thought ... just let it go.
Coming from WaPo (not online yet)
WASHINGTON--The Bush administration is deliberating whether to abandon U.S. reconciliation efforts with Sunni insurgents and instead give priority to Shiites and Kurds, who won elections and now dominate the government, according to U.S. officials.
The proposal, put forward by the State Department as part of a crash White House review of Iraq policy, follows an assessment that the ambitious U.S. outreach to Sunni dissidents has failed. U.S. officials are increasingly concerned that their reconciliation efforts may even have backfired, alienating the Shiite majority and leaving the United States vulnerable to having no allies in Iraq, according to sources familiar with the State Department proposal.
This policy debate is getting ugly:
More from WaPo:
State Department counselor Philip Zelikow, author of the proposal, argued that the United States has compromised its prospects of success by reaching too far, according to the sources.
The State Department proposal, which was introduced at the second of 10 meetings and has dominated debate ever since, suggests that the United States would keep at arm's length diplomatic efforts to bridge the deep divide between Iraq's two Muslim sects, the sources said.
Another point of debate in the policy review is how far to broaden a new U.S. strategy to bring in regional players to help stabilize Iraq. The White House and the State Department are still wedded to the isolation of Iran and Syria, despite the growing momentum behind the idea of regional outreach, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The idea has also been part of the discussions of the Iraq Study Group.
What a bunch of numb nuts
A decision to step back from reconciliation efforts would also be highly controversial among America's closest allies in the region, which are all Sunni governments. Sunni leaders in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf sheikdoms have been pressuring the United States to ensure that their brethren are included in Iraq's power structure and economy.
But over 10 days of intense discussions recently among top policymakers in the White House review, State Department officials argued that intervening in Iraqi politics is increasingly counterproductive, particularly after elections for a permanent government last December. Reconciliation, they also argued, is now exceptionally unlikely and could actually jeopardize U.S. relations with Iraq's Shiites, who make up about 60 percent of the population, according to sources familiar with the debate.
No shit, Sherlock.
You guys have been SPECTACULARLY wrong.
WMD: Spectacularly wrong
Cost of the war: Spectacularly wrong
Prospect of success: Spectaculary wrong
Exit stategy: None
Occupation strategy: AWOL
Please let grownups take over!
Let me see, I have to find the html thingie ... sorry.
but it is http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
Chimp press conference gems.
George Will? Is this an example of clear speaking?
I think any time you murder somebody, you're a criminal.
...
It's not easy for a military to evolve from ground zero, and I appreciate our forces, and I appreciate General Casey, who have worked very hard to train the Iraqis so they become a capable fighting force, as well as a unifying element for Iraq.
From Ground Zero? What the hell is the space cadet talking about?
And a "good job, Brownie" moment:
Anyway, he's the right guy for Iraq, and we're going to help him, and it's in our interest to help him, for the sake of peace.
and the unforgettable, clear speaking Bush tops it off:
But the reason why terrorists are trying to stop the advance of freedom in Iraq is the very reason why we need to help them,...
Now THAT George Will, is clear speaking.
Of course, the Marines have already given up on Anbar Province (predominantly Sunni). A lot already points to an abandonment of the Sunnis.