It’s a cherished tradition in halls of power: keep asking for advice until someone tells you what you want to hear.
Michael A. Fletcher and Thomas E. Ricks of the Washington Post report that and Mister Bush and Dick Cheney met with three retired generals and two academics on Monday to discuss the Iraq situation. The group, which included former four-star MSNBC analysts Barry McCaffrey and Wayne Downing, gave a dismal assessment of Iraq, and an even more dismal assessment of the Iraq Study Group’s recommendations. They were especially critical of the ISG’s suggestions to reduce troop levels and to hold talks with Iran and Syria, suggestions that Bush has already dismissed.
The “experts” still believe Iraq is “winnable.”
It looks more and more like the “new way forward” will be the “more of the same way sidewards.”
Read the rest at Pen and Sword.
Commander Jeff Huber, U.S. Navy (Retired) writes from Virginia USA.
I am so sick of Downing and McCaffrey. Why does anyone listen to them anymore. If I want to know how to take a beach, I’ll ask them.
They’re both idiots. I wouldnt trust either of them lead a Cub Scout pack.
The “experts” still believe Iraq is “winnable.”
It looks more and more like the “new way forward” will be the “more of the same way sidewards.”
A.political.benefit at the expense of our men and women!! No shame this president.
If only it were possible to Impeach the bastard before Christmas.
didnt we try that in Vietnam, and it was a resounding disaster. I know Bush is insane but you’d think McPain had learned something from a war he was in. No. Maybe Rove was onto something when he labelled McCain as potentially insane after his Vietnam incarceration.
…I’ve said this before: while I certainly admire McCain’s service and sacrifice, being a POW didn’t make him the military expert he claims to be.
A half million troops didn’t do the trick in Vietnam. I don’t see how another 20k in Iraq would turn things around.