Donald Sensing on the ISG report.

Bottom line: the ISG report offers some good ideas when it sticks to Iraq itself, especially the recommendation that American Military Training Teams serving with Iraqi army units be reinforced and broadened and when it opens the door to a near-term intensification of direct military by US forces against the insurgency. But it flops hard when it wanders afield, especially when it fails to recognize that Syria and Iran are vested in our failure in Iraq, not our success. The two nations are not potential partners, they are enemies.

And I like and agree with “cerebrim”‘s comment:

Much like the 9/11 commission report, it’s being widely praised only by people who didn’t read or understand it.

Much like the 9/11 commission report, it achieved ‘bipartisanship’ by being self-contradictory, equivocating, and weaselly.

Much like the 9/11 commission report, its primary use seems to be a political bludgeon by various people who have no interest in actually implementing it, just decrying the people who don’t.

And much like the 9/11 commission report, its recommendations are unimplementable even if you were inclined to try – and you would be insane to want to.

Also, see Cox and Forkum: Then And Now. Yes, there is no substitute for victory. Of course, it’s been decades since we’ve had one, or allowed ourselves one.