What is really going on?

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

Clearly, there is something big afoot. There are lots of indicies and causes to be noted, I will miss some, I am sure.

First off... the Saudi situation.

The Royals say they will fund a post-US/UK Iraq and AND their Ambassador to the US quits the same week. Hmmmmmmmm.

Then there is the only thing on which one can rely from BUSHCO... the truth is the opposite of what they say. What are they saying? We are going to change our Iraq thinking, but stay until the job is done. Hmmmmmm.

There is the re-appearance of Cheney. He is everywhere the past few weeks. No more undisclosed location, no more shadows, he is like wallpaper in the oval office photos which have been released. Also he has been in deep discussion with the Saudis.

And then you have the whole breakfast with Gates and postponing the "speech" thing.

What would becalm the 08 Dems more than anything? The end to the Iraq mess. I am going out on a limb here, but I for one, would not be surprised if BushCo did a phased dis-employment of US troops very soon.

Somehow they will have another "Mission Accomplished" event, maybe killing Sadaam, declare victory and leave.

[Armstead]

1. I think it's the oppposite -- It's a last ditch push to stay

The White House is trying to rally what's left of its hard-core conservative base to revive the old "No Cut-and-Run" argument, to give the White House cover to either continue to "Stay the Course" or to get us enmesh even deeper in Iraq with a big build up there.

The whole Saudi/Iran civil war talk is part of the ratceting up the argument that the "stakes are too big" for us to pull out of Iraq now (or at any time in the next 100 years).

[rodeodance]

7. yes. that is the clues but too many out there. something is afoot.

[mike_c]

2. I would be very happy to see the U.S. leave under any circumstances...

...but I REALLY doubt that the Bush administration will ever permit it. They've risked too much and they owe too much to too many-- they would have no allies left if they declared "Mission Accomplished" and withdrew, much as I would like to see them do that. I think just the opposite will happen-- Bush will accept the Pentagon plan for escalation and confrontation with al-Sadr, and the disaster will spiral further out of control.

[Sherman A1]

3. At some point

we will have to declare Peace and call out for pizza. It is just a matter of how and when. The situation has spun out of control due and been that way for so very long...

[AlinPA]

4. I still think they are planning a big-time media event to try to sell their way out of the mess.

By that I mean, a monster media event that tries to get a majority in the US behind behind them to "Move Forward Together". That is why we have all the stalling - to build suspense in 'Murca, then the big announcement will be made. Flags, ribbons, the boatload of s---.

[Mist]

5. But who's really pulling the strings? Poppy and Baker do some intervention in

WH-Rummy out, Gates in, Cheney summoned by Saudis, Saudi amb. leaves suddenly, ISG report bonks * over the head, but * is intent on ignoring it, some RW loon generals calling for more troops from our stretched Nat'l Guard. What a clusterfuck, and no good way out, seemingly. Plus, a hunkered-down WH trying to do who knows what before the Dem. Congress is seated. Don't mind admitting I'm edgy as hell.

[AnnInLa]

6. Please read Juan Cole

The ME is realigning itself....which way will the US jump?

www.juancole.com