Additional points

Submitted by Scott McCluskey (Singapore), Oct 16, 2003 at 23:58

Hello Dr. Pipes,

You are my favorite commentator on all things militant Islam.

Regarding your analysis here, it seems that you understate the strategic vision that brought us there - that we must change the Middle East by projecting power locally, in order to win the 'war on terror'.

I grant you that the American public does not know or understand this strategy, and it cannot be publicly articulated by Bush, Rumsfeld, et al, because to do so would be to undermine its chance of success in the Middle East itself. Due to this lack of ability to express the goals and means, it is likely that in the USA support for the endeavor would continue to erode, making your prophecy come true if Bush goes along with public opinion.

I would prefer that there be some mention of the real need for us to be in that region in force (Iraq being a nice place to start, as it had so many Resolutions against it, and a madman at the helm) so that the readership can assess the importance of that mission in relation to the mounting losses of men and materiel.

Also, I wonder if questioning Chalabi's motives for desire to control the money ought to be added. The man is not the most honest of persons, and handing him the purse might be expedient in the short term, while causing a serious problem down the road.

Thanks

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