Comment by Aaron Malcolm on Thursday, Jun 26 at 11:16 AM

So if we understand this segment correctly when we read between the lines as to what the outcome will most likely be - given the current situation of the unresolved sectarian issue and the lack of political progress, particularly when it comes to the "Security Agreement" in Iraq, the Bush administration's strategy is actually another recipe for total disaster in the long run.

Comment by simon on Saturday, Jun 21 at 11:54 AM

I thought the three on the show had interesting points. The idea od many ceasefires and employing insurgents makes me nervous. It means there is no fighting but no peace and we have to keep paying.

Comment by Shalom Freedman on Thursday, Jun 19 at 03:22 AM

Informative segment. The idea that American public's attitude towards Iraq is formed by events in 2006, and is now out of date is an important one. The Biddle strategy is that the U.S. has to reduce troop levels while staying in Iraq for several years. Gordon speaks of a 'failed country' being a 'fragile country'. It seems that the Iraqi military is able to handle certain military tasks, but the U.S. vital still for functioning of civil administration. As Nasr points out splitting of Shiite groups suggests a problematic and chaotic future. Biddle points to major supplying of all militant group by Iranians especially Shiite militias that are targeting U.S. troops. The consensus is that the military situation is in better shape than it was eighteen months ago. The Petraeus effect. But the road is long and uncertain. I was surprised that no one spoke about Iraq's situation and the price of Oil. But in general a good updating.

Comment by Walton Elia on Wednesday, Jun 18 at 10:40 PM

The question is what needs to be done by the new White House Administration, I think that troops level was not and will not be a factor in regard to control the violence, the troops level can be reduced substantially while alternating that with solving the real problem in Iraq and that is unemployment and disappointment over the lack of human basic needs, we have to negotiate the Militia Leaders with practical talk yet make it clear that Iraq will re build the National forces with disregard to sect, engage with Tribal Leaders. the Kurdish army will have to intervene heavily in the security control that happens to comprise a tall list for such a small army but more importantly it is able to deliver emergency relief to the much desperate Iraqis. the politics of the Iraqi government are yet to find a basic environment to exercise the diverse political aspirations without provoking one side or another, it is overwhelmed by the level of anger, dishonesty and animosity that is encountering from main street, and the government of Iraq will not reverse this skepticism on a dime, rather it will need foreign mediation, but who may those foreigners be, for example Brazilians, Chinese, Indians or french, a fresh face to settle temporarily inside the green zone, it is difficult to involve the Arabic nations, Iran and turkey initiatively, the troops reductions needs to be combined with diplomacy, America will have to find a mediator to campaign such a difficult effort, and I believe that Americans can survey the political capabilities in its own backyard, to find Iraqis and Arabic insiders As a leader of the foreign coalition groups in Iraq, the American administration in Iraq should reduce its numbers however begin campaigning for regional and international diplomacy, and convey a clear message, that Iraqis need International mass to reside inside the green zone in a hope to expand it to a green Iraq, with the need of temporary foreign intervention to oversight the weak Iraqi government and military in an effort to eliminate external influence and intimidation, as such an international council pushes an effort to evaluate current situation and finds practical solutions to move forward

Comment by Walton Elia on Wednesday, Jun 18 at 10:35 PM

here are some practical options that the next president can look at:- As Americans we have to strengthen our friendship with the people of Iraq and make advantage of what is left in the diplomatic tank before we are out of time, we have to support the Prime Minister to cope up with the Parliament's disarray, Iraq will make leadership and political strategy reform under your guidance, the distraction in the politics of Iraq extends to the Iraqi people on all levels of life, with our current authority we can demand the Iraqi government to take big political steps by placing the right people for the right position in disregard to their sect, reconstruct the governmental and military institutions, build the forces from the Kurdish block and up, engage political, social, religious and tribal leaders to solve insecurity problem, stimulate the Iraqi economy, deliver human services in water and electricity and involve Iraqi Americans who can work through the foreign relations apparatus, to mediate the strategy implementation. We have to make an effort to place an International Integrity Council that monitors the Ministries and institutions, Iraqi leaders can work around an International provisional Integrity Administration in a mission to retain the trust and respect of Iraqis and the region

Comment by skeptic on Wednesday, Jun 18 at 12:43 AM

Each of these jingos should be vetted for investments in Raytheon, Boeing et al. Success defined by a lull(?) in the killing in this region is to deny reality and history. The sectarian tribalism is as old as dirt and will continue whether we leave tomorrow or in a thousand tomorrows. For proof, try Gertrude Bell's, "The Arabian Diaries, 1913 - 1914."