CALLING YOUR ATTENTION...

Would someone please notice that the president of the United States is flying to the Middle East this week?  It would be so helpful, if say, some of our leading journals would give us a hint  - a few lines would do - high up on their websites.  Mr. Bush has more than a year left in office, and, in foreign policy, a president need not be a lame duck.  He'll be going to Israel, the West Bank, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, rollicking Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.  One of his goals, clearly, is to stiffen resistance to Iran.  According to the Israeli press, Israeli officials will give him a blunt briefing, designed to puncture our recent National Intelligence Estimate, which viewed the mullahs through foggy-bottomed glasses. 

Please note that Adam Gadhan, the American-born Al-Qaida sales rep, called for the president to be received in the region with "bombs and booby-trapped vehicles," in a new video released Sunday, another reason for paying attention.  He could mean it.  These boys have a rude way of showing up.  Take a look at that face on the left.  So full of love.  The AP reports here.  

It's tempting to fall asleep, and hope to slide gently into a new administration.  It is not a good idea.

Posted on January 7, 2008.