If not now, when?

Leader
Thursday December 7, 2006
The Guardian

"With a lot of luck and even more resolve, yesterday's report of the Iraq Study Group may eventually be seen as a pivotal moment in the reassertion of a realistic American role in Iraq and the world, and not remembered as the well-intentioned but failed political rescue mission that it risks becoming, given the all too seriously worsening situation in Iraq. The report is not merely a repudiation of the disastrous United States policy in Iraq - though it is certainly that too. It is also something larger and more strategically potent in the history of the early 21st century - an implicit repudiation of the entire divisive international and domestic political project that President George Bush has pursued since 9/11, with the unfailing and dismaying public support of Tony Blair.

We in Britain need to be very clear about this, as do the American people: when Mr Baker called for a new consensus both in the US itself and internationally he was, in effect, indicting the failure of the knowingly unconsensual policies followed so foolishly by Mr Bush both at home and abroad, and supported so recklessly by Mr Blair.......

It is imperative in Washington today that Mr Blair puts himself publicly and unambiguously on the side of Messrs Baker and Hamilton. Even at this late stage, the prime minister must not go to the White House counselling caution in the acceptance of the study group's proposals. He should use his influence - if it exists at all - to demand broad changes of US policy in the region, especially over Israel-Palestine, and make clear both to the president and in public the increasing reality that Britain is getting out of southern Iraq as soon as practicable anyway. No grovelling. No blurring of advice. Just hand Mr Bush the revolver and tell him he must do the honourable thing with his failed policy......

Much now rests on Mr Bush. Does he have the vision, commitment and willingness to make bold strategic changes that are now required? His abysmal record says no. But the imperatives of the current disaster brook no alternative. The central political allure of the report - an end to the US combat role in Iraq before the 2008 presidential election campaign - is surely tempting even to a leader who may go down in history as America's worst. It is still possible for America to minimise the damage not only in Iraq but to the US's role in the region and the world. And if not now, when?"