Linkmeister

I'll believe it when I see it

A draft report of the Iraq Study Group's recommendations has surfaced.

Officials said that the draft of the section on diplomatic strategy, which was heavily influenced by Mr. Baker, seemed to reflect his public criticism of the administration for its unwillingness to talk with nations like Iran and Syria.

But senior administration officials, including Stephen J. Hadley, the president’s national security adviser, have expressed skepticism that either of those nations would go along, especially while Iran is locked in a confrontation with the United States over its nuclear program. “Talking isn’t a strategy,” he said in an interview in October.

“The issue is how can we condition the environment so that Iran and Syria will make a 180-degree turn, so that rather than undermining the Iraqi government, they will support it.”

Administration officials appear to be taking steps that will enable them to declare that they are already implementing parts of the Baker-Hamilton report, even before its release. On Saturday, Vice President Dick Cheney flew to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with King Abdullah, whom he has known for 17 years.

Well, being able to say "See? We're doing that already" might make sense for two reasons: 1) if you're planning to disavow the panel's recommendations beyond what you claim you've already undertaken, or 2) if you're sincere about trying to incorporate the recommendations into your strategy.

I'm betting on 1).

Posted by Linkmeister at November 27, 2006 01:53 PM | TrackBack