The Big Bang can be salvaged

ARTICLE: 'Second Life for Study Group: Iraq Woes Lead To a Reappraisal,' By Michael Abramowitz, Washington Post, May 21, 2007; Page A01

If the ISG's ideas are finally pursued for real, then the Big Bang can be salvaged.

But that whole process must begin with the realization that we find a place for Iran in the region, and on that basis get ourselves back in the business of subverting through business as opposed to trying to isolate an Iran that will only retaliate against us and our efforts throughout the region.

That was always the underlying message of the ISG: first things first and stop trying to roll the entire region all at once. The long war doesn't have to be wrapped up in one administration (duh!), any more than the Cold War, so handwringing over who "loses" what or who "wins" is silly. This is going to be a long sequence of events, with hard kills rare and soft kills prevalent--just like in the Cold War.

Not rocket science, just patience--and the maturity to move beyond Bush's incompetency and need for vindication.

So we'll see if things finally get realistic, or whether the war-mongering on Iran will continue as an additional track doomed to derail this one.

Time to trash the talking points, Secretary Rice, and begin assuming the responsibility of your post for real.

Comments

[Lexington Green]

Overheard a conversation just today. A lady was just back from visiting Iran. Americans are rare over there. Everyone she talked to was friendly and claimed to love the USA and Americans. The government of Iran is a thin crust. It is decrepit. It would be insane to squander the good will of millions of people who are our natural allies. Soft kill all the way on Iran.

[Hans Suter]

"(duh!)"Clinton's answer at Potomac Uni today (on C-Span) on Darfour are a good example. Or not ?

[Jarrod Myrick]

Still looking for those strategic partners: what will it take to draw in India, Russia, China? Is anybody out there (anywhere) thinking like this?

[hof]

The Big Bang can be saved, but the effort will not start until there is a new president. Expecting anything different from this admin is just wishful thinking. There are not 60 votes in the Senate to force any real change, so everything will wait and the situation will only get over ripe.