It's about leadership. It wasn't supposed to be this way. Bush and his lieutenants now preoccupy themselves with operational matters that ought to fall within the purview of field commanders. That issues like these should now command presidential attention testifies to the administration's disarray. The most pressing question is this: Does open-ended global war provide the proper framework for formulating an effective response to the threat posed by Islamic radicalism? Or has global war, based on various illusions about American competence and American power, led to a dead end? America's failure in Iraq lends considerable urgency to this question. That no responsible member of this administration possesses the presence of mind, the imagination or the courage to address the issue head-on forms yet another part of the tragedy unfolding before our eyes.
I am reminded of Baghdad Bob. The scary thing is that Bob is starting to sound prescient in places. "Baghdad? It will be a big oven for them." "This invasion will end in failure." "We are winning!" "They are lying every day. They are lying always, and mainly they are lying to their public opinion." "They are achieving nothing." "Iraq will spread them even more and chop them up." "They are becoming hysterical. This is the result of frustration." "Please, please! The Americans are relying on what I called yesterday a desperate and stupid method." "They do not even have control over themselves! Do not believe them!"
Bush's illusions | Andrew Bacevich in IHT | 
