The spin begins. Thanks for the link.

It will be interesting when Rubin testifies under oath. I am sure that some of his characterizations will fall through when examined more closely, and facts that he omittted which will provide context will come out as well. OSP involvement in all of this will be particularly interesting to track.

What you have to do here is take Rubin's piece apart and stick it back together again, paying particular attention to chronology.

Rubin's immediatebackground was with the Kurds. How he ended up in Kurdistan will be interesting to see as well. Before that, note carefully Rubin's mention of a 2001 proposal to "replace" Saddam. He was at that meeting as well, though in what role is unclear from his piece. Somehow Rubin returns from Kurdistan and ends up on the Future of Iraq project.

There is no mention of the Chelabi in Rubin's piece.

There is an attempt by the Dod-NSC team to put together a group of exiles to provide new military leadership (FIF), which never happened, because the exiles were not so inclined. castles made of sand...

Note the Dod-NSC co-ordination, with no State involvement, until Dod-NSC presnts State with their plan.

Same holds for the IRDC. Ignoring Pachachi, the only person Rubin mentioned, note that "somebody" did not like State's nominees to this group.

Note Rubin's criticism of government, when the the governent services (water, sewers, elecircity, trash, medicine) were in collapse, and still are. The solution the DoD put forward seems to have been provincial and town councils. Why Bremer did not give these money is an open question, one that he will answer. Money was allocated and never spent. There's 1,700 dead, 12,000 seriously wounded, and their families who have paid the price for this confusion.

The Crocker team's efforts seem to have been responsible for the success of the Iraqi elections. Certainly their involemnt with Shia and Kurd leadership prevented a lot of spilled blood, credit for which Rubin gives to the IRDC.

If you're in a hole, stop digging. What is the goal, when will Bush Jr's team achieve it, and when will our troops come home?