I recommend Pat Lang's take on the difficulties of enacting what passes for a "serious" solution for our misadventure in Iraq.  I think he makes it clear that when we debate large one time increases of troops to shore up our near term position in Iraq that such proposals are frankly not "serious" solutions but political posturing devoid of any consideration of a suitable timeframes, force structure pressures, logistical concerns or any real sense that a sudden influx of U.S. troops would accomplish anything.

You may occasionally see Pat Lang being interviewed on various news channels, but Pat's blog Sic Semper Tyrannis is also highly recommended; Pat brings a welcome and authoritative voice on not only the Middle East but also the U.S. military and intelligence community.