Taylor Marsh – TaylorMarsh.com – News, Opinion and Weblog on Progressive Politics

Oh, good Lord, now it's the Vietnamization of Iraqification!

“Grave and deteriorating.” We waited all this time for that revelation of understatement? Oh, and just so you know, they didn't use the words “victory” or “civil war.” Yes, my friends, it's the finest of bi-partisan piffle possible.

Former general Barry McCaffrey was the first to catch the main point (video here), which
is what also got my attention today. The advisory role of the American military
has continued to grow in Iraq. Whenever I hear the word “advisor”
I get nervous and this situation is no different. Then you have the Iraq Study
Group and everyone else hot to pull most of our fighting force out, but offering
we keep our “advisors” imbedded with the Iraqi military. McCaffrey
stated flatly that the notion that we will pull fighting forces out, but leave
advisors is a “non-starter” because it could lead to abject disaster.

If there is anything coming out of the Iraq Study Group that concerns me it's
this latest half in – half out strategery. It's insane.

But the report is out. Below are some levels of reality, Baker-Hamilton style. Read 'em and smell
the flop sweat. Because Democrats may hold a majority in Congress, but the buck
stops with Bush. I'm not at all impressed or convinced we'll get anything but
wider wiggle room on what to do.

I also must say that all the talking head tut-tutting today about how slashing
this report is seems to be a bit of pan hit up side the head mentality. That
Tim Russert came on MSNBC to talk about how stunning the revelations in the
Iraq Study Group report are is tantamount to saying that Russert needs someone
else to force feed him what the facts mean, because he's too incompetent to
watch reality in Iraq and figure it out himself. Intuitive, Mr. Russert is not.

Frankly, I am more worried now than I was yesterday. The way it stands today, it looks like the Iraq war may
indeed be the primary focus of the 2008 elections. I hope I'm wrong. Now to
the first half of the ISG report.

Recommendation 1: The United States, working with the Iraqi government should launch the comprehensive New Diplomatic Offensive to deal with the problems of Iraq and of the region. This new diplomatic offensive should be launched before December 31, 2006. Recommendation 2: The goals of the diplomatic offensive as it relates to regional players should be to: i) Support the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq … … (Get a grip, Joe Biden. – my words.) Recommendation 3: As a complement to the diplomatic offensive, and in addition to the Support Group discussed below, the United States and the Iraqi government should support the holding of a conference or meeting in Baghdad of the Organization of the Islamic Conference or the Arab League both to assist the Iraqi government in promoting national reconciliation in Iraq and to reestablish their diplomatic presence in Iraq. … Turkey … Iran … Syria … Kuwait … Saudi Arabia and Jordan … The Other Gulf States … Turkey (take 2 – my words)… Egypt … Recommendation 4: WE'RE NOT KIDDING ABOUT RECOMMENDATION 3! (my words, again) Recommendation 5: On second thought (my words…) The Support Group should consist of Iraq and all the states bordering Iraq, including Iran and Syria; the key regional states, including Egypt and the Gulf States; the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council; the European Union; and, of course, Iraq itself. (Of course.) Other countries–for instance, Germany, Japan and South Korea–that might be willing to contribute to resolving political, diplomatic, and security problems affecting Iraq could also become members. Then, tucked inside Recommendation 12, we've got this beauty of a bullet point: There is no military solution to this conflict. Recommendation 13: There must be a renewed and sustained commitment by the United States to a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace on all fronts: Lebanon and Syria, and President Bush's June 2002 commitment to a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. Recommendation 14: HURRY UP ON NUMBER 13. (my words) Recommendation 15: WE'RE NOT KIDDING ABOUT 14. (my words) Recommendation 16: YES, GIVE SYRIA THE GOLAN HEIGHTS, FOR CHRIST SAKE… ooops. Sorry about the “Christ” thing. Recommendation 17: ABOUT NUMBER 16, there's more…

Then they start talking about Afghanistan.

As for permanent military bases, NO. Unless Iraq asks for them. Swell.

But talk about mission creep.

Give a bi-partisan panel of politicos and puffed up people a duty and they're
sure to get delusions of grandeur.

However, about those “contemplated completion dates” in Recommendation
24, well, see Recommendation 25: “These milestones are a good start. …
As with the current milestones, these additional milestones should be tied to
calendar dates to the fullest extent possible.” Can't wait to see this.
Oh, and see Recommendation 34 for more. Sheesh.

Oh, and one more thing, remember Bremer's De-Baathification? We need to undo
that disaster.

Let's also not forget amnesty for all, except if you're an illegal immigrant
in the U.S. We want to make that one crystal clear.

“Alley, alley, oxen free!” to everyone but al Qaeda. And if Washington
tries to undercut the amnesty or negotiations with everyone in Iraq in any way (minus al Qaeda, don't forget that!), they'll have to deal with Jimmy Baker
and Lee Hamilton. Alan Simpson will then be summoned to quip you to death.

I'll deal with the second half on my radio show, including the advisors that
will have their butts sticking out in Baghdad the way the plans look right now.

Vietnamization of Iraqification now! Ha-zaaah.

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