On Wednesday night in Washington, U.S. President George W. Bush delivered the most important speech of his presidency -- his long-awaited "new strategy" for Iraq. In fact, much of its key provisions had been leaked to the press. And upon close examination, it is difficult to see where the strategy heralds a major departure.
Most significantly, the fundamental dilemma for the United States remains: It (and the world) cannot afford to see Iraq collapse into chaos and success depends on a government emerging from the rubble of Baghdad to take control of the country, but there is no sign that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is prepared to do that, or that the U.S. can force him to do so.
Mr. Bush's new approach consists of three pillars. The first is the introduction of over 20,000 more U.S. troops to help stabilize Baghdad and "help the Iraqis break the current cycle of violence." Baghdad is key because 80 percent of the sectarian violence occurs within 45 kilometers of the capital. According to Mr. Bush, "This violence is splitting Baghdad into sectarian enclaves and shaking the confidence of all Iraqis."