Bush's Generals' Alternative 'Study Group' Will Counter the Baker Panel's Findings

[bigtree]

that's likely how Bush will resist any recommendations he doesn't agree with . . .


Pentagon to Reevaluate Strategy and Goals in Iraq

By Ann Scott Tyson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, November 12, 2006; Page A01

The Pentagon is conducting a major review of the military's Iraq strategy to determine "what's going wrong and should be changed" to attain U.S. objectives in the war-torn country, the nation's top general said yesterday.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. Peter Pace, initiated the review this fall after starkly deteriorating security in Baghdad led commanders there to rule out any significant cut this year in the level of U.S. troops in Iraq -- now at about 145,000 -- according to senior defense officials and sources.

Pace said he, Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the top U.S. commander in Iraq, and Army Gen. John P. Abizaid, who as head of Central Command oversees the U.S. military in the Middle East, are all working on recommendations for how to improve Iraq strategy.

Pace is scheduled to meet early next week with members of the Iraq Study Group, a bipartisan commission mandated by Congress to review the Bush administration's Iraq policy and propose changes, a senior defense official said. Pace's review and other military recommendations are expected to be merged with the work of the Iraq Study Group as part of a broad effort by the administration to redefine Iraq policy. "It will become part of something bigger," the source said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/10/AR2006111001679_pf.html


let's hope they DON"T merge and blur the message of the independent panel. This military bunch HAD their chance. They need to stand down.



http://journals.democraticunderground.com/bigtree

[butterfly77]

1. What is this suppose to be...

the battle of the generals. These are the same people who want to stay the course and do anything for bush. Time for some new blood and fresh thoughts on what should be done, they seem to want the troops to stay there for target practice they are doing and saying nothing new and they haven't done anything different before the election so why should we think there will be any changes now?

[rodeodance]

2. The Irag study group is 'save face" for Bush. I am not convinced the

recommendations will be to get the troops out-or if so------a long long long withdrawal.

[bigtree]

3. me neither, but, I'll bet they have some recommendations that will be resisted

by Bush. Saving lives is the key. Bush's generals are all 'stay the course'. I'm still hoping for something from the Baker panel which we can use as a wedge.

[Straight Shooter]

4. bush's stubborn refusal to deal with the facts continues to get people killed. n/t

[acmavm]

5. I doubt that these guys are gonna say "hurry up and get out of

Iraq, too many people are dying". Why? These are oil men folks.

You know what's happened, don't you? We've traded Dick Chainsaw and Dumsfeld for Poopy and Baker. We havent' taken a step up, we've just given another term to a horrible old man who couldn't get re-elected on his own. This is a freebie. And he doesn't have to take the blame for 'going into Baghdad'. His idiot son already did that. Now all that's left is for these criminals to figure out how to turn this to their advantage. Notice I didn't say 'our' advantage or 'the country's' advantage. I said THEIR advantage.

[bigtree]

6. I don't have any illusions that they will call for withdrawal, but I think there will be

recommendations we should get behind as they are resisted by Bush.

The rest of the fight to end the occupation HAS to come from our Democrats.

Maybe we should form OUR own 'study group'.

[Generator]

7. More worthless charades while thousands die

That's our government.

[bigtree]

8. another take in the WaPo tomorrow

Bush Initiates Iraq Policy Review Separate From Baker Group's

By Robin Wright
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 15, 2006; A16

President Bush formally launched a sweeping internal review of Iraq policy yesterday, pulling together studies underway by various government agencies, according to U.S. officials.

The initiative, begun after Bush met at the White House with his foreign policy team, parallels the effort by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group to salvage U.S. policy in Iraq, develop an exit strategy and protect long-term U.S. interests in the region. The two reviews are not competitive, administration officials said, although the White House wants to complete the process before mid-December, about the time the Iraq Study Group's final report is expected.

The White House's decision changes the dynamics of what happens next to U.S. policy deliberations. The administration will have its own working document as well as recommendations from an independent bipartisan commission to consider as it struggles to prevent further deterioration in Iraq.

"The president has asked all his national security agencies to assess the situation in Iraq, review the options and recommend the best way forward. The ISG report will be duly considered, and we look forward to their recommendations as the president has always said," a White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the new initiative has not been announced. "The president indicated Monday that he is interested in hearing interesting ideas both within his administration and from the Baker-Hamilton commission."

The White House review could give the administration alternatives so that it feels less pressure to fully implement the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group report, foreign policy experts said.
ernational support and strengthening the economy.


more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/14/AR2006111401095_pf.html



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