Foreign: July 2008 Archives

We need to build on the success given to us by the surge. We can be grateful that we didn't listen to the advice of the surge opponents a year ago, but maybe some of their current advice isn't so bad. A detailed timeline independent of developing condition in Iraq is just plain stupid, but an aspirational timeline, one that reiterates the U.S. desire to leave, may be a good idea.

The Associated Press reports on presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain's moves to counter the spotlight on his rival's, Barack Obama, trip to the Middle East. The AP article is entitled, McCain Insists He Was right, Obama Wrong On Iraq, The fact that the Iraqis and Bush Administration discussed troop withdrawals last week is proof, according to McCain, that the U.S. troop surge in Iraq, which Obama opposed, has worked. The goal, McCain has said, was to open the door for American soldier draw down from Iraq, as conditions on the ground warranted. By this measure, McCain is driving the point home on the campaign trail that he was right, and Obama wrong.