[eureka!]

I agree. It really is amazing the number of Freepers who think that Sharon did not know about, and give the green light, for this request, having accomplished the destruction of the PA's two major compounds, gathering priceless intel and proof and otherwise taking the most aggressive action in years. It got to a boiling point and Sharon saw that and agreed. W betrayed no one...

[Oldeconomybuyer]

It's simple - Bush has given Sharon a face-saving way to withdraw. A brilliant 'strategery'!