Iraq Study Group Report
NPR.org, Dec. 7, 2006 · The military recommendations issued by the Iraq Study Group include shifting security responsibility to Iraqi forces and pulling out most U.S. combat brigades by early 2008. While some agree with the proposals, others wonder whether the recommendations are realistic and can be implemented with the support of countries in the region. Some also question whether the Bush administration has the will to follow the group's counsel. Below, opinion from around the world:
NEW YORK CITY
Welcome Political Cover
The New York Times
December 7, 2006
Its recommendations are still couched in language vague enough to allow the president to pretend it is the "new way forward" his aides are now talking up, rather than a timetable for withdrawal, which is on Mr. Bush's no-go list. Predictably, the first reaction of Tony Snow, the White House spokesman, was to insist that "there is nothing in here about pulling back militarily."
WASHINGTON DC
The Study Group Reports
The Washington Post
December 7, 2006
What's missing from the study group report, unfortunately, is any evaluation of what should be done if the new strategy doesn't work -- if, despite the stepped-up training, diplomacy and pressure for Iraqi political reconciliation, the incipient civil war intensifies or the army and government remain too weak to survive on their own. In that all-too-likely scenario, Democrats would probably press for troop withdrawals to proceed regardless, while Mr. Bush has said he will not "pull our troops off the battlefield before the mission is complete."
ANKLEBITINGPUNDITS
IS(urrender)G Report (a/k/a "Baker's Folly"): An Absolute Farce
Ankle Biting Pundits
December 7, 2006
It's a typical Jim Baker document that ignores the larger issue of Islamofacism, and instead thinks we can "negotiate" with regimes that actively call for our discussion destruction. And (again) typical of James Baker, the report foolishly states that somehow if we just solve the Israel/Palestinian problem all will be well.
TRUTHDIG.COM
Feingold Questions Study Group's Judgment
Truthdig.com
December 7, 2006
Flipping through the news channels on Wednesday, one would have seen an endless parade of pundits and politicians praising the Iraq Study Group's report. One exception was a man who was critical of the war before it was in style, Sen. Russ Feingold, who told Countdown's Keith Olbermann: "The fact is this commission was composed apparently entirely of people who did not have the judgment to oppose this Iraq war in the first place."
LONDON
If Not Now, When?
The Guardian
December 7, 2006
The window of opportunity for the Baker-Hamilton policy may already have closed. Much now rests on Mr. Bush. Does he have the vision, commitment and willingness to make bold strategic changes that are now required? His abysmal record says no. But the imperatives of the current disaster brook no alternative.
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LONDON
Rights and wrongs of fixing Iraq
The Financial Times
December 6, 2006
IRAQ
U.S. Concept of Victory in Iraq is Laughable
Azzaman
December 7, 2006
SLATE
So Much for Plan B
Slate.com
December 7, 2006
LONDON
Topsy-turvy Strategy from the Iraq Study Group
The Times (London)
December 6, 2006
FORT WORTH, TX
Remember: It's all Israel's fault
Star Telegram
December 7, 2006
NATIONAL REVIEW
Must Study Harder
The National Review
December 6, 2006