Martial Afflatus

The Tyrant's little talk on Iraq showed every sign of being stitched together by committee. Optimists might point to the "adult" observation that unless Iraq's government can get its act together it'll lose the support of the American people. Pessimists, to the new notion that Iran and Syria may somehow be targeted for their support of various Iraqi insurgents. Overall, however, the Tyrant's tone—Victory!—demonstrates yet again his fundamental disconnect from reality. And it's the tone that augurs ill for the next two years. Thanks to the Tyrant's obstinacy, the scale of America's forthcoming defeat in Iraq may well be far greater than anyone has yet imagined.