Richard Haass on why Iraq is more than an American problem. Bush's folly: His fixation on Al Qaeda's role in Iraq reveals the shallowness of his thinking — and of the U.S. strategy on fighting terrorism. From HNN, an article on Henry Kissinger’s lessons for George W. Bush. A review of Henry Kissinger and the American Century by Jeremi Suri. Getting out of a war requires as much planning as getting into one. Here are five questions that any administration will have to answer as part of an exit from Iraq. Joe Biden’s so-called soft-partition plan, which calls for dividing Iraq into three semi-autonomous regions, seems to be gaining support as the best way out of a bad situation. Defeat Without Disaster: Fred Kaplan on the least bad plan for leaving Iraq.
A growing toll on battlefield brains: From Afghanistan to Iraq, bomb blasts are causing the U.S., British and Canadian troops who survive them a staggering number of brain injuries. Military doctors warn we've only just started to suffer the effects. An increasingly vocal minority in the US is railing against the prosecution of soldiers and marines in Iraq abuse cases, arguing that young Americans are being unfairly targeted. An article on exploring a shift in views about the Iraq invasion. As President Bush considers his options in Iraq, he may want to think about how his choices will affect his successor — and his current rivals.
From National Journal, no U.S. president is ever completely lame, but President Bush is hobbled by an unpopular war, scandal, a strong opposition and circumstance. Cognitive Dissonance: Two new studies of cable news throw light on the sources of Bush's failure-proof support. Buy a card, mock a president: You know the country has come a long way since 9/11 when Bush's face graces humorous greeting cards. Walter Mondale on how his successors helped make the office more accountable. What has Dick Cheney done to the vice presidency? From The Nation, John Nichols on why the burgeoning movement to impeach Bush and Cheney is a rational response at a time when 80 percent of Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction.
Votescam: Hendrik Hertzberg on how at first glance next year’s Presidential election looks like a blowout. Not so fast: They've got the money, the momentum, and what looks like history on their side. But a Democratic victory in 2008 is no sure thing. Seventeen Candidates in Search of a Story: Only a few of the '08 frontrunners has grasped the importance of the campaign narrative and build a successful story around their candidacies. The Attack Ad's Second Life: Despite "macaca" and "Hillary 1984," the 30-second TV campaign spot ain't going anywhere—yet. Quick off the blog: Josh Marshall's TPM Cafe has become a platform for single-handedly exposing US presidential controversies and keeping political issues alive, leaving traditional news media trailing in its wake.
