"The president has retaken control of Iraq strategy,"

[rodeodance]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20070111/ts_csm/ateamiraq

Bush's new approach to Joint Chiefs

Until recently, Bush had been deferential to the positions of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, practically making a mantra of saying he adhered to the judgments of his top generals in making military decisions. But the Iraq team reshuffle is evidence that the president is no longer wedded to that approach if it means sticking with policies that clash with his vision.

"The president has retaken control of Iraq strategy," says Frederick Kagan, a military historian at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington and prominent advocate of a large troop increase. "The administration has made itself more independent of the generals."

Independent of the generals, maybe, but still largely dependent on what the Iraqi leadership does. And that means influencing the Iraqi government will be one of the new Iraq team's biggest tests, experts say.

Negroponte and Crocker are "two consummate diplomats," says Mr. Walker, who is an adjunct scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington, "but maybe too consummate. Neither one is confrontational."

Crocker will be taking the reins of US diplomacy in Baghdad after more than two years in Islamabad - another key US partner in the battle with Islamic extremism.
..............

[lancdem]

1. Yep, Fred Kagan knows what he's talking about

:eyes:

[BOSSHOG]

2. And again kagan makes an ass of himself

More troops, more death, more destruction, its the AEI way. bush distancing himself from professionals in their field. yeah freddie thats the ticket.

And per you, if he lost control in the first place, that would be filed under FAILED LEADERSHIP.

Always look forward to your lunacy freddie.

[fuzzyball]

9. Troop deaths in Iraq about to exceed those slaughtered on 911

Was it worth it? It was in Afghanistan, not in Iraq.

[central scrutinizer]

3. Abandoning von Klausewitz for von Klausewitless

[gratuitous]

4. Damn! If only George had had the courage sooner, huh?

I mean, what the hell do the Joint Chiefs of Staff and military brass know about fighting a war? It's about time those amateurs just got out of the way and let Bush be Bush! Now, goddammit, you lot are going to see a real war fought by a real military mastermind. George W. Bush has seized control of Iraq, and baby, he's not going to let it go until it's as well-behaved as Barney!

So just suck on it, you libruls! You all wanted more troops, didn't you? You all wanted that stable door closed and latched, didn't you? Sure, the horse is long gone, but there! The stable door's closed and latched. Now what do you have to say???

Aaaaannd, :sarcasm: off

Honestly, is anyone buying even one syllable of this nonsense?

[Cha]

5. Yeah, the AWOL stuntedmonkey

is taking the reigns and ordering more of our USA Soldiers into Lying Abyss AKA The War On Iraq.

Whatsamatter, didn't cheney get the OIL, yet?

[DoYouEverWonder]

6. You mean the decider

wasn't the decider?

I'm so confused.

[LiberalFighter]

7. He can't rely on his Generals to do what he wants and...

tell the American people that he is relying on them for judgment.

[proud patriot]

8. how reassuring

:sarcasm: