Jan 25, 2007: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Approves Biden resolution
The good news is that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has passed the Biden-Hagel-Levin-Snowe resolution by a vote of 12 ayes to 9 nays. The bad news is that Sen. Hagel (R-NE) was the only Republican senator to vote in favor of the final version of the resolution during the committee markup session.
Jan 24, 2007: Excerpt: Bush State of the Union Message on Iraq
Jan 16, 2007: Iraq Escalation polls
Six nation-wide polls on President Bush's troop escalation in Iraq: USA Today/Gallup Poll from January 15, 2007; CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll from January 12, 2007; Washington Post-ABC News poll from January 11, 2007; Associate Press-Ipsos poll from January 11, 2007; USA Today/Gallup poll from January 9, 2007; and a CBS News poll from January 8, 2007.
Jan 16, 2007: Statements on Iraq Escalation Plan
President Bush's plan to send an additional 21,500 US soldiers to Iraq -- touted as a "surge" strategy to gain control on the ground -- has prompted some unexpected stances from legislators on both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill.
Jan 10, 2007: Troop Surge in Iraq: Just Another Escalation
An obvious weakness of this plan is that focusing on securing Baghdad could simply push insurgents out of the city and into the surrounding provinces of al Anbar, Diyala, and Salah ad Din.
Jan 10, 2007: A Surge of Constitutionalism by Gary Hart
President Bush's decision to escalate the war, and to further Americanize it, is based on his flawed and dangerous theory of the "unitary presidency," a theory under which, once war is declared, the president as commander-in-chief can ignore constitutional checks and balances, disregard the bill of rights, suspend accountability, and concentrate dictatorial power in his own hands.
Jan 10, 2007: Why Surge Won't Work
At this late stage, 30,000 additional troops cannot make a difference. U.S. troops are ill prepared to do the policing that is needed to secure Baghdad.
Jan 3, 2007: A Regrettable Rush to Execution
In his final minutes, one of Saddam Hussein's executioners shouted, "Go to hell, Saddam."
Dec 28, 2006: Beyond the Executive Summary
What the Iraq Study Group's report actually said and how it helps (or hurts) the U.S. exit from Iraq
Dec 12, 2006: Washington Post-ABC News poll (12/12/06)
Comprehensive Washington Post poll on Iraq from December 7-11, 2006.
Dec 7, 2006: ISG Comments by Jerome Grossman
The Baker-Hamilton Report confirms the weakened political position of President Bush and his policy on Iraq. However, it also undercut those who advocate immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops, as well as Senators Carl Levin and Jack Reed, who advocate beginning troop withdrawal within four to six months, and Rep. Jack Murtha, who advocates withdrawal as quickly as possible to nearby countries.
Dec 7, 2006: 'Pie in the Sky' Report Won't Fix Iraq
"DEAD ON ARRIVAL" seems the likely verdict on the much-awaited Report of the Iraq Study Group.
Dec 6, 2006: Iraq: Now We Own It by Gary Hart
Among the many inevitable outcomes of the unnecessary invasion of Iraq was the appointment of a commission of worthies assigned to work out how we get the hornets back in the nest we had kicked open. This was roughly the assignment of the Iraq Study Group (a.k.a. the Baker-Hamilton Commission) and they have done a reasonable job of trying to restore realism, as well as reason, to an Administration priding itself on pre-Enlightenment divine guidance.
Nov 16, 2006: Blow Up This Nuclear Deal
Despite having pursued a covert nuclear weapons program for decades while most countries foreswore the right to acquire nuclear weapons, India is out of the nuclear dog house.
Nov 15, 2006: The High Cost of a Low Priority Program: $18 Billion for Missile Defense in 2016
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that spending for the missile defense system will peak at $18 billion in 2016.
Nov 8, 2006: 2006 Election Analysis
The 2006 election changed the direction of our country. The voters rejected the failed policies of George W. Bush in Iraq and elected to the U.S. Senate thoughtful and effective advocates of responsible national security priorities. These excellent additions to the Senate significantly increase the number of Senators prepared to work for a world free of weapons of mass destruction.
Nov 6, 2006: The Case for Dividing Iraq
Iraq's national-unity government is not united and does not govern.
Nov 2, 2006: New York Times/CBS News poll on Iraq
Comprehensive New York Times/CBS News poll on Iraq from October 27-31, 2006.
Oct 18, 2006: Defining Success by Sarah Sewall
Yes, the future of Iraq matters. But it’s one thing for an outcome to be important, and an entirely different question whether we can obtain it — let alone at a price Americans are willing to pay. The debate in Washington misses this distinction entirely, focusing instead on whether to adopt a timetable for our departure. This is the wrong way to frame the nation’s options.
Oct 17, 2006: John Bolton: Forgotten, But Not Gone by John Isaacs
John Bolton's renomination as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations appears moribund as Congress finishes its final session before the November election. Having received his UN post from President George W. Bush against congressional will in August 2005, Bolton's appointment is set to expire in January 2007, causing Bush to renominate his man in July—an effort met with bipartisan resistance.
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