[Praxeologue]

Powell/Rummy; good cop/bad cop, depending on the audience

a smart strategy

[mercy]

I don't think it's smart at all. I think it looks weak and equivocal. I think it IS weak and equivocal. I think Bush does not have control of his State Dept. and he needs to kick some ass, long and hard.

[Sueann]

I agree with your assessment - 100%. It's a clever little game and only we know it's a game!!

[Sabramerican]

a smart strategy

No it's not. As Safire says, it will get Americans killed.

Sends the message that the more Americans you kill, the more you harm US/Israeli relations.

Imagine a different message to the terrorists. The US and Israel are together. Come against any one of us and separately and together we will destroy you. They have big mouths but watch them run (as they have always done when faced with force instead of appeasing words)