Donald Rumsfeld's suggestions for Iraq all seem to go in the direction of a withdrawal. But Rumsfeld can't quite get himself to clear the psychological hurdle of coming to an agreement with his harshest critics. The memo, given to President Bush just days prior to Rumsfeld's ouster and printed with much fanfare by the New York Times, offers such suggestions as "modest withdrawals," "go minimalist," and "an accelerated draw-down of U.S. bases." But it's only in his "less attractive options" section that Rumsfeld brings himself to take his suggestions to the extreme: "Set a firm withdrawal date to leave."

It's interesting that the same administration that has so resisted efforts to police America's borders would discuss placing "substantial U.S. forces near the Iranian and Syrian borders," or that an administration that calls itself conservative would debate "a massive program for unemployed youth" (in Iraq, not the United States), or that a defense secretary once so optimistic about the Iraqi reception of U.S. forces would now call for bribing religious and political leaders within Iraq to become our friends. The ugly realities of war have a tendency of turning politics and principles upside-down.

Alas, nothing in the memo, if enacted, would reverse the dreadful situation in Iraq. Only under the heading "less attractive options"--including withdrawal and instituting federalism separating the various factions--does Rumsfeld offer the reader an attractive option.

I'm waiting for the White House to launch a big investigation to find out who leaked this most revealing memo.

Think its possible Rumsfeld had this deliberately leaked for purposes of legacy preservation?

I do.

I’m sure that illegal Syrians and Iranians are streaming over the borders to be part of the miracle that is the new Iraq. ;-\~ Definitely need to keep our troops there to police that situation. Good thing everything is perfect here in the U.S. What a cluster f’ck.

American troops are not doing anything in Iraq right now, except dodging bullets and IEDS -- so there's no reason to stay a single day longer.

Let's leave and hope for the best.