The omniscient Instapundit notes concerns that the Bush administration might run out of patience in Iraq and the Middle East.
What's worrisome is Drezner's suggestion that the Administration doesn't [have patience]. It had better, because if Bush screws this up, he'll have screwed up his Presidency. The good news is that I'm sure he knows that, and I suspect that everyone else in the White House does, too.
Good point, but my concern is that the Bushies could fall into the same trap as previous administrations, including father Bush -- not a lack of patience per se and not naivete, but convincing themselves that the situation can be finessed; trying to be too clever balancing strategy against politics; and then finding themselves, and us, out-maneuvered by events and enemies who are both numerous and implacable.
G.H.W. Bush knew that Saddam was a psychotic despot, but thought he could be managed -- when in fact Saddam could only be defeated. We need to press on with the kind of vigor that allowed us to tune out the conventional wisdom and pull the trigger for a change.
Posted by Alan at August 13, 2003 05:05 PM