“Srsly, Fred – I thought ‘hard’ was meant in a Chris Matthews kinda way!”

Not according to Fred Kagan. FF to about 3:55 – apparently (internal) displacement of Iraqi citizens is merely Sadrist propaganda.

As a side note, this interview is an example of the media doing its job, ie, calling bullshit when arrogant assertions are contradicted by pesky facts. Watch full screen to properly see the sweat on Freddy’s upper lip grow more prominent as the interview progresses (and becomes more heated). One can almost feel him pining for the comfortable, clubby environs of Meet The Press.

Kabuki is kabuki, regardless of who originally commissioned the made-for-domestic-consumption performance (and I think I’ve made it well clear that the aggrandizement on the part of Congress is a key component of my disgust with the entire theatrical exercise).

A return to pre-surge troop levels (dictated by logistics, rather than a reflection of any purported ‘success’) is inconsequential; none of this–the surge, Congressionally-mandated hearings, Petraeus and the Jesus juice that courses through his mighty, Princeton-educated veins–will bring the overall US-led occupation to an end (in fact, Petraeus has said will still be ‘necessary’, if not vital, to maintain a US presence after logistics dictate a return to pre-surge troop levels – in other words, stay the course, you dumb motherfuckers).

Unless political benchmarks are reached, overall security is measurably improved (not just a reflection of violence spreading and diluting), etc, this entire Kagan-spawned endeavour (much like the overall US-led invasion and occupation) will have been a near-criminal waste of time, money, resources, and most importantly, lives – all pissed away to give Bush and Congress some political wiggle room while they delay the inevitable bloody post-occupation clusterfuck (butbutbut victory is just around the corner – the next six months…are…crucial…yeah.)

But perhaps that’s just my ‘ego’ working overtime. Us all-knowing soothsayers are well known for bitter hubris (and an aversion to shaving. Oh, and the locusts and honey, the original Atkins diet).

BTW – did anyone mention the dirty ‘R’ word, ie, refugees? There are 4 million+ displaced people–30,000 per day and counting–who are all too fucking aware of just how hollow a gesture the fucking AEI PR surge–and ‘democracy promotion’ in general–has been.

The Dem Congress implemented the September hearings, tied into the first money appropriation for the surge.

Petraeus and his ilk have always said it would go thru 2007, at least. If he can draw down a brigade yet this year, fantastic. If not look to draw down by spring.