There is a clash, and there will be a growing one, between what Americans want of their president and want of their country in the world … and what foreign leaders want of us.

It’s not an Iraqi army.

It’s a terrible situation. The insurgents cannot win the war militarily as long as the U.S. stays there in force. And we can’t win the war … without there being a real political deal …...

The first is to establish three large autonomous regions with a viable central government in Baghdad. The Kurdish, Sunni and Shiite regions would each be responsible for their own domestic laws, administration and internal security.

Some might even say that the attacks on the terrorist facilities should scare Saddam, should show him what’s in the offing for him if he persists in his role.