[Torie]

The joker in the deck is whether Iraq will perform on its promises, whether it has the will (does Maliki have the will?), and whether it has the capacity to do so. I think it more likely than not, it/that they will not. One can only hope that the odds are better than I see them, much better. As the WSJ article pointed out, the downside is a regional conflagration, with everyone free lancing in a desperate effort to secure their position. It will be simply awful, in all liklihood.

Durbin's speech was well within his capacities, in other words, boring and empty and meaningless.

[cgk]

The joker in the deck is whether Iraq will perform on its promises, whether it has the will (does Maliki have the will?), and whether it has the capacity to do so. I think it more likely than not, it/that they will not.

Interesting analysis not far from where I am. My husband just noted that Maliki just seems like a guy who wants to just quit and go home. Maliki may really want that sooner than later if Muqtada al Sadr correctly interprets tonight's speech by the President (pred MSM dec: "High Noon") and he goes after Maliki as a Bush-ally he can get to. And it sure seems like Sadr has extensive access over there.

[jwalsh07]

You really odn't need a "freedom loving" citizenry to have this work. What President Bush and Maliki need are 10-15 Brigades of "freedom loving" soldiers willing to kill the bad guys without quarter. Those 10-15 Brigades need leadership. So, the ate of Iraq may well rest in the hands of 200 men or so. I hope General Petraeus finds them.