Robert Gates, the new defense secretary, sailed thru Senate confirmaton hearings yesterday. If I were a fighter in Iraq, I'd notice these clips from Gates:

+ It's "to soon to tell" whether the US invasion of Iraq had been a wise decision.
+ "Do you believe we are currently winning in Iraq?" "No, sir."
+ Iran is too dangerous to take on because it can activate terrorism.
+ He says he is not familiar with the details of Rumsfeld's efforts to transform the military.

The appended ifs and buts and afterthoughts aren't worth a lot.

Bush has fired a fighter and hired a defeat manager. Our soldiers see it, their soldiers see it. We see it, they see it. In the end, I bet, America will fight like America. For now God help good men in Iraq, Syria, Iran, Lebanon and Israel.