Really nice analysis of the big picture that all too many are ignoring or haven't woken up to.
The one thing I would diagree with is the assessment that President Bush knew that the world war with radical Islam was inevitable. In fact, I believe that the Bush policies during the first administration, when Colin Powell was Secretary of State, were entirely aimed at a last attempt to stave that war off by finding a "middle ground" between all out war and innefectual "police actions." I believe that failure is why Bush replaced Powell for the second term.
The "This Week" group has decided Maliki is a failure, it is all over in Iraq and that we need to give them a deadline and withdraw, maybe to the Kurdish part of the country. That's all, folks. It's over. The panel has spoken.
Powell was a self aggrandizing globalist, forgetting that he was to be representing AMERICAN interests around the world.
Thank you Phsstpok for your kind comment....I enjoyed the opportunity to vent.
On reflection, I think your comment on Bush and Powell may be correct. One thing is for sure, Bush sure knows now what is going on, and I'm proud of him for standing up to the world and not putting pressure on Israel to cease actions in Lebanon.
Unfortunately, it looks like Ohlmert is not going to allow the Israelis to finish the mission.