NYT: Insurgent Bombs Directed at G.I.’s Increase in Iraq

[grytpype]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/17/world/middleeast/17military.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

At the end of this report of how the insurgency is worse that it has ever been, is an indication that the White House is getting ready for a catastrophic collapse of the elected Iraqi government.

Insurgent Bombs Directed at G.I.’s Increase in Iraq

By MICHAEL R. GORDON, MARK MAZZETTI and THOM SHANKER
Published: August 17, 2006

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 — The number of roadside bombs planted in Iraq rose in July to the highest monthly total of the war, offering more evidence that the anti-American insurgency has continued to strengthen despite the killing of the terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

...

The insurgency has gotten worse by almost all measures, with insurgent attacks at historically high levels,” said a senior Defense Department official who agreed to discuss the issue only on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak for attribution. “The insurgency has more public support and is demonstrably more capable in numbers of people active and in its ability to direct violence than at any point in time.”

...

Yet some outside experts who have recently visited the White House said Bush administration officials were beginning to plan for the possibility that Iraq’s democratically elected government might not survive.

“Senior administration officials have acknowledged to me that they are considering alternatives other than democracy,” said one military affairs expert who received an Iraq briefing at the White House last month and agreed to speak only on condition of anonymity.

“Everybody in the administration is being quite circumspect,” the expert said, “but you can sense their own concern that this is drifting away from democracy.”

[Nickster]

1. Mission Accomplished! n/t

[wellst0nev0ter]

2. All The Morons Who Paraded Those Purple Fingers At Us

Should be forced to take those same digits and stick em where the sun don't shine.

[Kagemusha]

3. That's not how I read Bush's comments...

Bush seemed to be wondering if Iraq's democracy SHOULD survive... if Maliki can cut it. And if he can't, what then? I don't know, but he wasn't asking for no reason..

[saigon68]

4. They will just promote another "presidential" Quisling like Allawi

Or Kharzai the former CIA operative who is now the "Mayor of Kabul"

[Roy]

5. And then they will say the leadership change resets the clock.....

And more time is needed for Iraqis to stand up while more soldiers are laid down.

[saigon68]

6. afraid so

[Barrett808]

7. "The next six months will be crucial..." n/t

[krkaufman]

9. Likely the "resignation" of al-Maliki and "martial law"

(i.e. a new Saddam)

[PurityOfEssence]

8. Bye-bye democracy? Junior must be SO jealous...

Damn, Dick, howcome I can't get me a deal like that? Karl!! Fetch me another highball.

[rodeodance]

10. "The insurgency has gotten worse" We keep hearing this yet we keep

p digging our hole bigger!