Can Iraq Be "Fixed"?

Alton Frye rose to the occasion as moderator, giving a phenomenal performance, better than anything I could have hoped for. Stepping out of the moderator role, his concluding remarks are deadly, exquisitely turned. All the panelists were great. Indeed, I'd almost give the debate to Frank Gaffney on points, for magnificently taking the logic of his position to within a half-step of its conclusion. Except that Frank's assumptions are something of a paranoid fantasy and very few people would want to live in the war-wracked world of his imagination, let alone pay for it. Give him credit, though, he's honest about its costs. Frank Anderson gave an incredibly thoughtful, detailed assessment of political realities on the ground. I don't think there's a better intelligence digest of Iraq out there. Doug Macgregor also surpassed my high expectations — I admire tremendously his ability to articulate a military reality check. Ted Carpenter was the voice of reason from the cost calculations point of view. Reason vs. rhetoric — his was a subtle and nuanced argument. Helle Dale persevered with important ethical points to keep in mind. Even if one disagrees with her conclusions about "fixing" Iraq, one must take her arguments seriously. Interesting questions from the floor prompted even more sharply defined positions. The discussion almost naturally abstracts itself into a 'White Paper' covering different perspectives with an overall judgment on them. So I was delighted with how well it all went.

My profound thanks to the panelists and to the moderator.

I'm very grateful to Winslow Wheeler, Director of the Straus Military Reform Project at CDI, for paying the expenses and supporting my efforts as I put the panel together, and to his staff for their willing, energetic help.

I think this event provides enough substance to try to build on it, at least a little bit. After you've listened to the podcast I encourage you to send me your thoughts on what useful steps might be taken next. A transcript, btw, also will eventually become available.

Photo credit to me. That's Frank Anderson at the lectern, with Helle Dale and Ted Carpenter to his right.

† Twenty three people showed up, of whom six were journalists with major organs. UPI, Christian Science Monitor, the Boston Globe, Interpress Service (some of you may know this one as the outfit Jim Lobe writes for), the Yomiyuri Shimbun, and German public radio. No TV. Two diplomats.