Juan Cole today: Excellent food for thought.

[TayTay]

Cole is listing his Top Ten Myths about Iraq.

This is very interesting reading, particularly his view that we can't just leave Iraq in a sudden withdrawal as that would lead to a full-on Civil War. I recommend reading this.

http://www.juancole.com/2005/12/top-ten-myths-about-iraq-in-2005-iraq.html

[ProSense]

1. Great stuff!

The four provinces stuff is clearly admin hype to give a sense of containment to the violence.

The "guerillas are winning the war against US forces" and qualifying them as mosquitos who could never defeat the US military in the field is, while accurate, to me, is not the point. This is not a battle being fought on the field, which negates the stated point. I don't believe the US can win the battle that they are fighting, which is to quell the insurgency. On that level, they cannot win by fighting. The only solution, as Cole's 8th point states, is for the US to responsibly remove itself from the equation and not allow Iraq to fall into civil conflict.

I posted a coupled of articles in GD-P about potential secession by the Kurds and a growing fear of civil war.

All of this is very interesting because all the lines that have been drawn that marked an opportunity to do the right thing have been erased by the bravado (in the media and the administration) that comes with pursuing Bush's failed strategy. Anyone who pointed to one of these key opportunities was criticized as a naysayer and pessimist. Well, this may be the last line.

[ginnyinWI]

2. always good to hear the truth

...and remember how many lies we are being told daily! Juan Cole was already on my "good guys" list--thanks!

[kerrygoddess]

3. Just read Joe Wilson's book ...

over my vacation - he says the same thing in his book. Will read this tomorrow. Just settling back in.

[globalvillage]

4. Welcome back, KG.

How are you liking Wilson's book? I was surprised how interesting it reads. I had a hard time putting it down. It's also quite a useful reference.
I give it a big thumbs up.