I just wanted to call attention to the performance of the Iraqi people, without whom no amount of brilliant diplomacy, and no endless nagging about deadlines, would have brought the country to the point where they seem likely to adopt a revolutionary (at least in Middle East context) constitution, that gives political authority to the people, guarantees equal rights for women and minorities, and creates a fairly decentralized federal republic. Every tyrant in the region must be gnashing his teeth, cause if that catches on, well, it’s gonna be very bad for them.

I’m a friend of Zal’s, I like him a lot. I was terribly disappointed when he didn’t fight harder against “Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” and I wholly agree with you that he looks very good tonight, and that delights me. But I suspect he’d be the first to say that the Iraqis are amazing.

One last point, with which I know you fully agree: this revolution came from the barrels of our guns. Pacifism and negotiation wouldn’t have gotten us all there.