Cato on Iraq

Not exactly optimistic for a Republican think tank, is it?

"In some ways, the symbolism of this referendum may be more important to this administration than the actual substance because the referendum is not likely to alter the underlying security environment. And, in fact, there is some chance that it may make matters even worse," said Cato Institute defense analyst Ted Carpenter.

I think this is more or less right, however. This will be another symbolic vote which will do little to heighten security. And in the long run I fear that the people of Iraq may see this as a failure of democracy itself.

I can only hope that's not the case.