National Strategy for Victory in Iraq

Excerpts from the belated victory plan are up at UPI. Sample: Without victory in Iraq, it says "Middle East reformers would never again fully trust American assurances of support for democracy and human rights in the region—a historic opportunity lost. The resultant tribal and sectarian chaos would have major consequences for American security and interests in the region." Are there any Middle East reformers left who trust American assurances of support for human rights in the region? The main line is "no timetable". But a "conditions based withdrawal" amounts to a flexible timetable determined by the administration— they're the ones assessing conditions; if the public continues to demand less of a footprint don't be surprised if they find astonishing progress is being made in the near future.