Washington Watch Articles From 2007
Threats On the Kurdish Front Should Have Been Expected
When Saddam Hussein’s brutal invasion and occupation of Kuwait was greeted by a joint U.S.-Soviet statement of opposition, and later by an international coalition determined to use force, if necessary, to free Kuwait, I was reminded of the cautionary maxim: “Never pick a fight you can’t win.”
Waiting for Petraeus:The Games We Play
Right now Washington is gearing up for the appearance before Congress of General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker. They are to testify on September 11th on the progress (or lack thereof) in Iraq since President Bush implemented his “surge” plan to promote political stability and military security in Iraq.
Bush in Trouble I:Hoisted on Its Iraq Petard
The war in Iraq was lost even before it began, for one important reason: the Bush Administration did not consider it important to earn the trust and support of the public. In the lead-up to the fighting in Iraq,, the Bush Administration did not tell the American people the truth about why we were invading Iraq, or what would be the expected costs and consequences that would result from that action. Instead, they relied on hype and created myths to justify the war.
Holding the MediaAccountable for Iraq
The Iraq war is a growing mess, and it is appropriate to hold accountable those who got us into it. Fingers can rightly be pointed at the Administration, of course.
ARAB AND U.S. PUBLIC OPINION SHOW SIMILAR CONCERNS ON IRAQ WAR
By invading Iraq without a plan and with no clear understanding of the consequences that would result from this war, the Bush Administration has created a bind for itself and for the Middle East as well.
Four Years Later:Leadership is Needed, Not Political Calculation
Four years ago, a month before the start of the US war in Iraq, Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. and I attempted to introduce a resolution we hoped would be debated at the winter meeting of the Democratic National Committee.