[parousia]

Baker is part of the "realist" wing of the foreign policy establishment, the wing that never recommeded actual action to protect US interests, even when this recommended inaction blew up in our face. In his article, Peters compared Baker's commission to Metternich and the elder statesmen gathered for the Congress of Vienna. "Both assemblies symbolize a victory for the ancien régime, the bloody-minded refusal to accept that the world has changed profoundly and will continue to change. Baker is the dean emeritus of a reactionary school of diplomats--inaccurately labeled "realists"--whose support of the shah of Iran, the Saudi royal family, Anwar Sadat, then Hosni Mubarak, and, not least, Saddam Hussein delivered short-term stability that proved illusory in the long run. It was the 'realist' elevation of stability above all other strategic factors--echoing Prince Metternich--that gave us not only the radical regime in Iran, but, ultimately, al Qaeda and 9/11."

[NinoFan]

You made a little mistake with the title. I think you meant that for the topic.

[Van Jenerette]

Iraq Study Group

We need to thank our creator that this group of 'realist' were not around making recommendations during the American Revolution...

Imagine their reactions and study conclusions after Valley Forge, etc. Every major American city fell to the British during that war!

[hnj_00]

baker is nothing but a shi-itey anitsemetic a-hole.....it is unbelieveable that the bottom line of this crap (iraq study) is it is Israel's fault for protecting itself....jimmah carter the other antisemetic a-hole must have ghost written baker's work!!!!!

to compare baker to metternich is to demonstrate the ignorance of the author and lack of historical knowledge....

anyone can juxatposition history but when the facts don't add up do what lib/dems do....cast them aside...put out a lie....and when it is out there and refuted... a meaningless retraction or mea culpa sets everything right!!!