I admit, I thought the iraqi forces could be trained by now - but I've accepted that the realities on the ground have proved that wrong. every 6 months, we get another speech about iraqi forces "needing another 12 months". I heard a clip of the president's speech at the naval academy - one year ago - its the same speech he's giving now.
at some point, doesn't anyone ask "what are we going to do differently tommorow, that we haven't been doing all along, to make things better". at least Rumsfeld is making some specific suggestions here.
But still - who is really running this war? or is the president simply getting so much conflicting opinions from various places, that a unified policy cannot be formulated? I don't know.
"But still - who is really running this war?"
"The United Nations has extended the mandate of the US-led multinational forces in Iraq for another year."
This was for 2005-2006.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4419222.stm
"Tuesday, November 28, 2006 · Last updated 2:58 p.m. PT
Security Council extends mandate in Iraq
By EDITH M. LEDERER
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
UNITED NATIONS -- The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Tuesday to extend the mandate of the 160,000-strong multinational force in Iraq for one year, acting quickly ahead of a key meeting between U.S. and Iraqi leaders aimed at halting escalating violence in the country and paving the way for a reduction of American troops."
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1107AP_UN_Iraq.html
Let me think real hard for a while, and I might figure out "who" is really running this war. I may have to sleep on it and get back to you tomorrow.