tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34241771.post116317540032070688..comments2023-05-23T10:27:03.057-05:00Comments on Why "Conservatives" Can't Do Foreign Policy: What Does the Robert Gates Appointment Mean?James A Bondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17052655149783273982noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34241771.post-51554618506717939132006-11-12T12:08:00.000-05:002006-11-12T12:08:00.000-05:00Is this speculation based on the fact that Gates w...Is this speculation based on the fact that Gates worked for many years in the CIA, or are their other bases for your judgment?James A Bondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17052655149783273982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34241771.post-4900202252297600532006-11-12T09:49:00.000-05:002006-11-12T09:49:00.000-05:00The appointment of Robert Gates as Secretary of De...The appointment of Robert Gates as Secretary of Defence is evidence that the war in Iraq is about to enter a new phase. Whereas the United States has been relying primarily on conventional military means and working closely with the Iraqi army and police, the US now plans to work with whatever Iraqi intelligence service may exist and use covert means. The question is not whether the CIA and Iraqi intelligence will use torture and other means in their "dirty war" against the insurgents: the question is whether any news of this will reach the news media. With Fox Network so friendly with the Bush Administration, and other media duly cowed, maybe not. We have learned, since the French fought against the Algerian FNL in the 1950s, that the terrorists believe that their methods work. It still remains to be seen, however, if similarly brutal counterterrorist will measures work as well.Marking A Wallethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10236725412252629214noreply@blogger.com