The best evidence that George Bush is changing his strategy in Iraq is this NY Times story http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/30/world/middleeast/30policy.html?th&emc=th. The "leaks" are of the highest quality and show that the administration is building this report up.

The study group is apparently going to recommend a pull-back of US troops, with the rationale being that they need to do this to put pressure on the Maliki government to do the deals they need to do. Might just also be that they want to make the Maliki government the patsy.

The whole Iraq adventure will make foreign populations think twice before they call on the US for help - it can be much more dangerous than just outwaiting the agressor.

Interesting to note that the study group was set-up before the last election result was known. There is a sophisticated game going on in US politics where the Republicans hope to come out on the right side of the argument next election, and knew they were going to lose in the last one.

Pity they're not as good at handling international politics as they are at handling domestic politics.

Stay the Course?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jq0j80UB_c