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Just in time for Ilan Goldberg's article explaining why imperialism is not a sound strategy for dealing with Iraq, Matt is correct to note that Charles Krauthammer "wants an imperial relationship with Iraq, Bush wants an imperial relationship with Iraq, and McCain wants an imperial relationship with Iraq, but Iraqis don't and thus Maliki prefers Obama." The key graf:
McCain, like George Bush, envisions the United States seizing the fruits of victory from a bloody and costly war by establishing an extensive strategic relationship that would not only make the new Iraq a strong ally in the war on terror but would also provide the U.S. with the infrastructure and freedom of action to project American power regionally, as do U.S. forces in Germany, Japan and South Korea.Ah, yes, "infrastructure." This would seem to mean "permanent military bases, which, in distinct contrast to those in Germany, Japan, and South Korea would be maintained despite the strong opposition of the Iraqi government and Iraqi population, and hence will present the likelihood of perpetual conflict for no obvious benefits." But at least American military presence in a major Middle Eastern nation hasn't played a large role in motivating a recent major terrorist attack on an American city or anything. Oh wait...
See also Ackerman.
--Scott Lemieux