Sticks and Carrots in Iraq
After suddenly coming down with a so serious a case of the vapors that he could not attend a meeting with the President of the United States , Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki got some good news: yes, the Iraq Study Group is going to recommend redeployment of a substantial number of US troops in his country, but no, there won't be any pesky timetables -- for now. Al-Malaki was allowed to twist slowly, slowly in the wind for only a few hours. Bush folksily declared him " the right guy for Iraq " -- like this was just another whirlwind campaign appearance for a member of congress whose seat was in jeopardy -- shortly after someone in his administration leaked a Nov. 8 memo from National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley that questioned al-Malaki's commitment, honesty or competence (your pick). I hope one of the US exports to Iraq these days are episodes of "The Sopranos," because this sure looks like the diplomatic equivalent of a serious warning f