The Report is In

The bi-partisan committee report on the Iraq war was tabled this week, and that, apparently, is where it's going to stay, at least while GWB's in office. There's more that he finds distasteful in this report than anything he will find constructive.

No doubt he likes the bit about another 15 000 troops to assist in training the Iraqi army. But he doesn't like the 2 year timeline given to have that training done. He likes the part about privatizing Iraqi oil and helping the government get it to market. This was, really, what the whole thing is about. If Iraqi oil can be marketed dependably and securely, Iraq is a victory, the mission is accomplished. That's something that has yet to happen.

What he doesn't like is anything to do with negotiating. Particularly negotiating a peace settlement, and especially a settlement that would include Iran or Syria, or both. That's simply 'out'. Maybe he would have preferred a recommendation to split Iraq. Last week there were balloons floating about finding some friendly Sunni support to fight the burgeoning Shia. Diplomatic meetings with the Saudis and with a dissident Shia leader were held.

The President of Iraq and his Kurdish brothers were decrying the lack of consultation with them about Iraq's future - although they have the future Kurdistan's future more in mind. The report is also being faulted, as so many American 'war studies' are, for being written virtually entirely within the 'green' zone - in splendid isolation from the day-to-day Iraq. The military are griping that no one ranking below Lieutenant-Colonel was consulted. Others are saying powerpoint presentations by interested parties might have a 'blinkering' effect.

It doesn't really matter, the report is simply another circle jerk to show that somebody, somewhere is concerned. They know that Iraq can go to hell in a handcart and take the rest of the 'ragheads' with them. That should make governing the middle east easier for the 'right'.

Iraq will keep on keeping on for the foreseeable future. George W. Bush will not be the first president in US history to lose a war he started, but he ought to be.