Frayed Neoconservative Ends

Arch-theorist and neoconservative Francis Fukuyama gives a composed, but harsh criticism of American foreign policy as directed by the Bush Administration on today's NYTs editorial page.

With the failure to secure Sunni support for the constitution and splits within the Shiite community, it seems increasingly unlikely that a strong and cohesive Iraqi government will be in place anytime soon. Indeed, the problem now will be to prevent Iraq's constituent groups from looking to their own militias rather than to the government for protection. If the United States withdraws prematurely, Iraq will slide into greater chaos. That would set off a chain of unfortunate events that will further damage American credibility around the world and ensure that the United States remains preoccupied with the Middle East to the detriment of other important regions - Asia, for example - for years to come.

We do not know what outcome we will face in Iraq. We do know that four years after 9/11, our whole foreign policy seems destined to rise or fall on the outcome of a war only marginally related to the source of what befell us on that day. There was nothing inevitable about this. There is everything to be regretted about it.

Ouch. Fukuyama has been critical of the Bush Administration since the invasion of Iraq, but it would be interesting to see how many other conservative intellectuals -- especially neoconservatives -- are also on the outs with our executive's handling of the Iraq war.

Regardless, it's been a rough month home on the Ranch for our fearless leader. Hopefully, it follows him back to DC today.