I don't want to be an armchair general but...

... wow sending 20,000 more troops into Iraq sounds like the stupidest idea ever that will not win them anything and only endanger the lives of more soldiers. It is quite clear that the US army have not learnt the lessons from Vietnam: that a sophisticated opposition using guerilla warfare in an environment they are expert in is almost impossible to pacify.

Bush has hung himself politically. The Republicans were dealt a siginificant blow losing both houses of parliament in the mid-term elections and the message was crystal clear: get out of Iraq. It is a recklass and dangerous President who is willing to go against the wishes of its constituents and put more soldiers lives at risk.

I am reminded of a theory I learnt in a first year international politics course. A theorist named GIlpin theorised the causes of 'maladaptability' of hegemonic states such as the British in the 19th century and the US in the 2oth century. 'Maladaptabilities' are factors that undermine a state's international or hegemonic dominance. For example, one was that the cost of maintaining its military hegemony through its foreign policy (being the world cop) would exceed domestic revenues. In such a case the military would inevitably be curbed at the expense of international power. It supposedly happened to the British.

I feel that this is happening to the US right now. The Bush Administration has overextended the US in being the world police to the point that it is no longer economically viable for the state. Indeed, the US' debt is becoming astronomical and unsustainable. Either economic downturn or a change in government to the Democrats who recognises these economic issues is the inevitable outcome.

But how many lives will be lost until that happens?