*** Iraq

Billmon argues persuasively that the US's moves to begin diplomatic negotiations over Falluja and Sadr indicate the real weakness of the US position in Iraq. This won't be lost on our various enemies. As they learn that the Coalition "can be rolled", this will make it all the harder to retain credibility with the use of force.

I agree, and I think that perhaps the greatest long-term cost of this war to US national security interests will be demystification of US military power. Simply put, we're great at bombing stuff, but that's about it.

I hope the US public realizes this before the election -- the tough-talking Republicans have shot our own military in the foot.
- posted by David @ 10:30 AM