"Succeeding in Iraq also requires defending its territorial integrity and stabilizing the region in the face of extremist challenges. This begins with addressing Iran and Syria. These two regimes are allowing terrorists and insurgents to use their territory to move in and out of Iraq. Iran is providing material support for attacks on American troops. We will disrupt the attacks on our forces. We'll interrupt the flow of support from Iran and Syria. And we will seek out and destroy the networks providing advanced weaponry and training to our enemies in Iraq.
We're also taking other steps to bolster the security of Iraq and protect American interests in the Middle East. I recently ordered the deployment of an additional carrier strike group to the region. We will expand intelligence-sharing and deploy Patriot air defense systems to reassure our friends and allies. We will work with the governments of Turkey and Iraq to help them resolve problems along their border. And we will work with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating the region. "
What is President Bush saying here? My colleague at Air America, Sam Seder, has wondered - why do we need Patriot missiles?
Have the insurgents located some Scud missiles? No, this seems to be a clear threat to Iran and Syria. The whole tenor of the statements above point to an even larger escalation of this conflict beyond Iraq. "A carrier strike group ... Patriot air defense systems ... destroy the networks providing advanced weaponry and training to our enemies in Iraq."
Does the President plan to escalate this conflict beyond Iraq? The words in his speech seem to indicate that. Is there anything that can be done to prevent him from doing something this monumentally calamitous?
UPDATE -- We have just raided the Iranian Consulate in the Iraqi city of Arbil. US forces broke open the consulate's gates and detained five staff members. Did someone say escalation?