The American Spectator

p> DOUBLE ENTENTE br> Re: Jed Babbin’s Meanwhile, Back in Baghdad : /p>

I’m encouraged by Jed Babbin’s explicit reference to joint American-Israeli military action in a campaign against Saddam. The autism of the national security establishment in this regard continues to baffle and amaze me. All those deep thinkers, wringing their hands in dread over the solo confrontation with this overinflated gangster, bemoaning the absence of “coalition partners.”

p>I know ! Why don’t we enlist the support of the regional superpower! You know, the one we have invested tens of billions of dollars in, shared supersecret military technology with, and which, as a liberal democracy, is our unshakable ally? Why in the world do we not come out of the closet and launch our campaign with Israel and the incomparable IDF at our side? It seems to me that at this late date it is a bit silly to worry about making the Muslims mad. As far as I can tell, the Muslims who would harm us are already trying as hard as they can to do so. Is there some other argument against this known only in Foggy Bottom and the Harvard Club ? br> — Paul Kotik br> Plantation, FL /p>

Jed Babbin replies: Whoa, big fella. I’m glad to have the Israelis to help, and you are right in posing them as our only reliable ally in the area (except Turkey, which is absolutely key to beating the terrorists.). The problem with the national security staff is that every time they say or do anything, some Congressional big mouth blabs it, or some commercial satellite owner gives Saddam pictures of it for free. They aren’t autistic, just grumpy. As to the other problems at Foggy Bottom, they are in a constant state of denial of the facts. It’s what they think their job is, more’s the pity. Blame Harvard, blame Dartmouth, blame any of them you’d like. But the problem is only partly their fault. Mostly, it’s the careerists in State and Fort Fumble who can’t admit they’ve been wrong about everything east of Casablanca for the past three decades or so.

p> MARTHA’S PLACE