Maybe it is too late, but before we give up on Iraq, why not actually try to do it right?

We are fooling ourselves to think that a decent, normal, forward-looking Iraqi politics or army is going to emerge from a totally insecure environment, where you can feel safe only with your own tribe.

"Double Down" Friedman says:

TRENT (hushed tones): Double down.
MIKE (even husheder): What?!?
TRENT: Double down, baby. You gotta double down on an eleven.
MIKE: I know, but ...
TRENT: You gotta do it.
MIKE: ... but that's two hundred dollars. This is blood money ...
TRENT: If we don't look like we know what we're doing, then we may as well ...

Everyone's waiting for them.

MIKE: I know.

The dealer, the pit boss, and all the players look on as Mike drops ANOTHER BLACK CHIP in the circle with a barely audible, yet deafening, thud.

MIKE (with all the nonchalance he can muster): Double down.

A bead of sweat.

The sharp snap of a dealt card.