NYT: Administration's Tone Signals a Longer, Broader Iraq Conflict

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/17/politics/17prexy.html?ei=5094&en=b68ba31afe306f2e&hp=&ex=1129608000&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print

For most of the 30 months since American-led forces ousted Saddam Hussein, the Bush administration has argued that as democracy took hold in Iraq, the insurgency would lose steam because Al Qaeda and the opponents of the country's interim government had nothing to offer Iraqis or the people of the Middle East.

Over time, President Bush told troops at Fort Bragg, N.C., this spring, "the terrorists will lose their sponsors, lose their recruits, and lose their hopes for turning that region into a base for attacks on America and our allies around the world."

But inside the administration, that belief provides less solace than it once did. Senior officials say the intelligence reports flowing over their desks in recent months argue that even if democratic institutions take hold, the insurgency may strengthen. And that possibility has created a quandary for an administration that desperately wants to equate democracy-building with winning the war, but so far has not been able to match the two.

That internal struggle was evident this weekend, as Mr. Bush returned to Washington sounding less celebratory about Iraq's constitutional referendum - whose outcome is suspected but still unknown - than he did after Iraq's elections last January. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaking from London on "Fox News Sunday," was somewhat more definitive: "The Sunnis are joining the base of this broad political process," she said. "That will ultimately undo this insurgency. But of course, they can still pull off violent and spectacular attacks."

Mr. Bush's own way of talking about the future, in Iraq and beyond, has undergone a subtle but significant change in recent weeks. In several speeches, he has begun warning that the insurgency is already metastasizing into a far broader struggle to "establish a radical Islamic empire that spans from Spain to Indonesia." While he still predicts victory, he appears to be preparing the country for a struggle of cold war proportions.

Count me out.

My America is a 1999 world, so now I'm going to go back to it.

BET on it.

to vote.No polling centers were open nor did they even have ballots.
Can you say,"rigged"?

It is either stay the course or face War Crimes charges.
Wonder how long everyone want to keep moving down this road to hell?

From the Congress, the Senate up to the whole administration, including your mass media..... all got bloody hand.

All all for someone determination to kick the butt of Saddam.
Damn expensive butt I would say.

This war is illegal and the world knows it.
Just waiting for Americans and British people to solve it.

Will bush and blair get away? Up to the people. We the world look and see if justice will prevail in the end. Or will this burden be on the shoulders of the future generations of Americans and British people.

Whackos.

our only hope re: Iran. Syria will be hit. Hey, but there are insurgents going into Iraq from Saudi Arabia...why don't we fight them??

ask Rice the Lice how many soldiers need to be station in Syria and Iran after this to fight the insurgents and when can victory be declare?

Oh and how many soldiers need to reinforce Iraq and Afghanistan cause the be an increase in insurgents for sure in both this countries.

You start it you better know how to end it.

went in to win, they went into Iraq to further their agenda...the larger conflict. Eternal war...paying with our children's lives.:grr: