Despite the deteriorating security situation in Iraq, the Bush Administration has not reconsidered its basic long-range policy goal in the Middle East: the establishment of democracy throughout the region. "This is a war against terrorism, and Iraq is just one campaign. The Bush Administration is looking at this as a huge war zone." The President has signed a series of findings and executive orders authorizing secret commando groups and other Special Forces units to conduct covert operations against suspected terrorist targets in as many as ten nations in the Middle East and South Asia. "We're not going to rely on agency pissants." You may recall, in a time not so long ago, at a press conference not so far away ... "You asked, do I feel free? Let me put it to you this way: I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it. It is my style. I've earned capital in this election -- and I'm going to spend it for ... fighting and winning the war on terror. I'm looking forward to it, I really am." |