And so the Joint Chiefs of Staff have drawn a line in the sand: No more troops will be committed to the war in Iraq until when and if the White House can present a plausible mission statement.
As noted at the end of my previous post, the joint chiefs are unanimous in their refusal to approve more cannon fodder until President Bush stops talking the talk and begins walking the walk.
I cannot recall an instance in American history (let’s say post-Civil War) when the commanders of the armed services told off the commander in chief in such a stunning manner.
True?
Let’s up the ante a bit: In some if not many other countries, the continuing intransigence of a national leader in the face of such an unmitigated disaster would lead to calls for his ouster or even a putsch.
Why not in the U.S.?
MEANWHILE . . .
The International Crisis Group has just released its post-Iraq Study Group report. Where Baker and Hamilton offer pablum, the ICG offers a cold shower. Marc Lynch offers his take at Abu Ardvaark. The report itself is here.