Convergence on Iraq Strategy Is Appearing

06/12/2006

Paul Munnis

There is increasing evidence that the Bush Administration and many in the Democratic Party are starting to converge on a common solution for Iraq, one that they can agree upon.

Both seem to realize that the need to create an initiative for US force reduction in Iraq exists and must be accomplished soon.

Both seem to think that the completion of the formation of the Iraqi government creates opportunity to move more responsibility to Iraqi self-governing.

Both seem to feel the Iraqi Army is coming along and can shoulder more responsibility.

In spite of all of the rhetoric about time-tables they are being unofficially set anyhow.

The cost of $8 billion per month for Iraq is not sustainable.

The Iraqi Ambassador to the USA appeared today on CSPAN and was asked about Sen. Joe Biden’s idea of creating religious states in Iraq with a strong central government and he said that approach was getting a lot of serious consideration at the new Unity Government level. They thought maybe six states would be needed, that Baghdad would be a central government city like Washington, DC is in the USA, etc. It seems to be a doable thing from their viewpoint and is being well received.

The convergence that is happening is because Democrats are speaking up and offering alternatives, the GOP is out of ideas, and pragmatism is taking over, thus possible solutions of compromise are arising.

This is a good thing, no matter how the spin-doctors try to manipulate it.

We may muddle through this Iraq mess after all. Let’s hope so.