hmmm, 3 pages of posts on war with Iran and not one mention of Israel. responding to Tabs points...
1. "Is this new stratedgy just another version of stay the course?"
In a way, yes - the Bu****buro intends to deliver their national security policy as a fait accompli to the next admin (regardless of party). As reality imposes upon their delusions, they are taking more extreme and exagerated actions. These are dangerous times.
2. "... after seeing how they planned the war so far, I just don't know anymore."
Maliki will not last, he will depart Iraq and enjoy the fortune the US taxpayer has provided. Also, bad planning doesn't change one's ability to implement bad policies - all you need is authority and coercive power.
3. "If Saudi, Jordan, Egypt and several of the other Gulf States goes to war with Iran..."
Only the US will go to war w/ Iran - as proxy for Israel (ahh for the good ole days, when it was the other way around). All ME states view war as destabilizing, which is evidently our intent (or maybe we're just incompetent - what does it matter when you've got power?).
4. "Unless GW has a trick up his sleeve..."
He IS a sleeved trick.
"he is going to go down as one of the worst US Presidents, probably right next to LBJ."
Well, he hasn't had as many US soldiers and Marines killed on his watch (yet), but historians will rate LBJ much higher for; a) his clever political skills, b) his domestic vision (maybe wasn't Great, but it was Big & some was Good), c) the Iraq War will do more long term international strategic and damage to our DOD than VN (
tbd, but it's clear to me, anyway).
"GWs reliance on the Iraqis to stand up is ludicrious on face value."
From the beginning, what part of his GWOT and Iraq War policy has NOT been ludicrous on face value?
Let's keep our warriors in our prayers.