James Dobbins and Philip H. Gordon cut through a lot of the negativity to get to the heart of the matter in this Washington Post Op-Ed, Gaining The Iraqis' Toleration. It's viscerally satisfying to talk about using massive force against our enemies, but we've reached the stage in Iraq where more focussed mayhem is called for. And for the record, it sounds like our guys are doing that, and to great effect.

Credit where it's due, David Ignatius gives the Administration credit for what it's made of the situation: Making Do With Lemons, although this little bit rhetorical jump-rope stuck out:

Catch the assumption? The "neo-cons" are, of course, primarily concerned with what's good for Israel. It's not exactly as bad as Pat Buchanan decending to the writing of columns for Arab News, but come on. It was such a basically good column. Ai yai yai...

And while you're at the Post, don't miss this Hoagland piece, Obsessed With Iran.