Tag Archives: Persian Gulf

Surge or escalation?

Democrats already are calling the proposed surge of troops into Iraq "an escalation," reiving the terms of Vietnam. But apparently Bush’s coming speech about what a surge would mean will turn on some aspect of this "secret plan" captured with the Iranians of recent days–who were, then, incredibly, let go.

Omar at Iraq the Model is astounded that anyone would think that the plan’s disclosure of Iranian and Syrian cooperation with the Sunni insurgents and the Shia death squads is unusual:

"This war is different from conventional wars; networks of terror and their relationships with their supporting regimes and the manner in which they work are complex and different than those of conventional enemies and this situation necessitates that our ways evolve and adjust accordingly."

Meanwhile, the Navy says a second carrier battle group for the Persian Gulf won’t leave Washington until later this month. Perhaps it’s just another empty show of force. Or perhaps Bush has finally decided to do something about Syria and Iran, the latter hinting that its bomb will be ready by March 20.