Realistic Assessment

Opinion Journal takes a good look at the situation in Iraq, as it exists right now.

The Bush Administration hasn’t helped matters of late with its own appearance of indecision, asserting on one day that we must avoid “cut-and-run” while leaking on another that the forthcoming Baker-Hamilton report might be an opportunity for a strategic retreat. President Bush has sounded resolute himself, but many of his own advisers seem to be well along in their own electoral run for cover.

The above is not exactly an optimistic take on the current situation. However, what follows gives hope that all is not lost ands that there is hope…down the road.

A measure of rationality at least came yesterday out of Baghdad, where General George Casey and U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad tried to put the violence in some larger context. The Iraq government is in fact “functioning,” as Iraqis continue to get their food rations, and as more than a million civil servants, Iraqi security force members and teachers continue to show up for work every day and get paid. Just this weekend, Iraq’s oil minister announced that production had surpassed pre-war levels.

Make the effort to read the entire piece. It’ll be worth the effort as well as add a modicum of positive outlook to the overall assessment of the battle for Iraq.