Near the beginning Bush noted that sectarian violence increased markedly after the bombing of the Samarra mosque early in 2006. In retrospect, that probably should have prompted the rethinking that has gone on since the November election. Evidently Gens. John Abizaid and George Casey and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld didn't think so at the time. Military history is full of examples of mistakes; this appears to be one of them.
AP - President Bush's decision to send 21,500 more combat troops to Iraq drew heavy fire from both Democrats and some Republicans on Thursday despite a plea by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for a "national imperative not to fail."
AP - Seventy percent of Americans oppose sending more troops to Iraq, according to a new poll that provides a devastatingly blunt response to President Bush's plan to bolster military forces there.
AP - U.S.-led multinational forces detained six Iranians Thursday at an Iranian government office in the northern city of Irbil, Iraqi officials said, as President Bush accused Iran and Syria of aiding militants and promised to "interrupt" the flow of support as part of his new war strategy.
Troops at Fort Benning greeted President Bush with cheers and whistles today, a day after he announced a new strategy for Iraq that includes sending in more than 20,000 additional troops. "The situation in Iraq is difficult, no question about it," Bush told about 300 soldiers and family members.
U.S.-led multinational forces in Iraq raided the Iranian consulate in the northern town of Irbil, Iraq's state-run television network, Al-Iraqia, reported Thursday, arresting staff members and confiscating office equipment.