Good:
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on Wednesday said Iraqi forces will take over security in all 18 Iraqi provinces by the end of the year, a presidential aide told CNN.
. . .
“We are highly optimistic that we will terminate terrorism in this year… the multinational forces’ role is a supportive one and the Iraqi forces will take over security in all Iraqi provinces by the end of this year gradually and God’s will, we will take the lead,” The Associated Press reported Talabani as saying.
Uh, oh. Doesn’t the Iraqi president realize that time tables only embolden the terrorists? I don’t know how he’s going to “terminate terrorism” in this manner.
Commander Stay-The-Course probably intends to have 100,000 troops in Iraq through 2009. But hopefully this will add some sanity to the debate and embolden the Democrats to show a little resolve of their own. A hopeful development.