A Central Pillar of Iraq Policy Crumbling

[Stockholm]

Senior U.S. officials have begun to question a key presumption of American strategy in Iraq: that establishing democracy there can erode and ultimately eradicate the insurgency gripping the country.

The expectation that political progress would bring stability has been fundamental to the Bush administration's approach to rebuilding Iraq, as well as a central theme of White House rhetoric to convince the American public that its policy in Iraq remains on course.

But within the last two months, U.S. analysts with access to classified intelligence have started to challenge this precept, noting a "significant and disturbing disconnect" between apparent advances on the political front and efforts to reduce insurgent attacks.

Now, with Saturday's constitutional referendum appearing more likely to divide than unify the country, some within the administration have concluded that the quest for democracy in Iraq, at least in its current form, could actually strengthen the insurgency.

more http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-fg-disconnect9oct09,0,3162215.story?track=mostemailedlink

[Why Syzygy]

1. He created the fucking insurgency.

Is that news?

[xchrom]

2. you'd like to say ''better late then never'' --

except all those dead bodies littering the landscape takes all the sport out of it.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. Hi, I'm GWB and I approve this mess. nt.

[mhr]

4. Republicans - With Limited Intellect Fantasies Abound

eom