I think the President and SOS Kerry...

...have just concluded that the media is mostly useless (very contrived conflict oriented) and just decided to get the job done despite them. They use the media as a tool as needed...like Kerry's OpEd...but expect media to set up conflict. Personally, I don't get angry at the media too much any more... I just find other ways to get real information and turn off the TV crap.

The options in the ME...post GWB...have always been difficult. Every situation/decision requires choosing the least bad option. There is no 'good' way to restabilize Iraq and it's neighbors. I believe they are in the midst of a Sunni/Shia civil war. I am SO glad the President brought our troops out when he did. And I am confident he will remain a minimalist where boots are concerned.

I am very glad we have Obama, Biden, Kerry and Hagel making the judgements required.