Iraq War Inside the Beltway Mind

Inside the beltway, the Iraq debate continues, in the same terms it has been conducted for at least the past two years. "More troops." "Making progress." "The media don't report the good news." "Incompetence." "The next six months are critical for U.S. success in Iraq."

The last is my favorite. How many times have we been told that the next six months are critical? I'm sure that I heard this, the first time, more than six months ago. So, what happened? Is this the proverbial corner, that we are always turning, turning and turning . . . ? (Insert your "circling the bowl" joke here.)

The only new element is the civil war. Is Iraq on the brink of a civil war, in the midst of a civil war, or not even close to a civil war? The (new) debate rages. But it is already familiar.

Speaking of familiar, are we going to war against Iran? Expect a use of force against Iran resolution, this September or October. Just in time for the midterms. Because, as dumbass Allen just said, "We can't allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon." OK, then I guess that means WAR (although I expect an air war rather than an invasion).