Furthermore, it is unfortunately predictable that the internecine struggle, the Iranian influence, Al Queda's hold on Al-Anbar province and the growth of Taliban power in Afghanistan, will not be remedied by two more years of anemic Iraqi security forces. In 2007 alone, an astonishing 2,091 Iraqi civilians and security forces have been slaughtered. After four long years, U.S. troops have no idea how to slow the blood bath, overwhelmed by daily attacks killing 50 or 60 at a time, aimed for civilians, for maximum chaos and anarchy. ("At Least 130 Die As Blast Levels Baghdad," on Saturday February 3!) In 2009, the next U.S. President will be picking up the pieces of this disaster. Congress, having failed to "deny funding" will leave it to the new President to utilize what is surely to be substantial political capital during the honeymoon period to take drastic steps when it comes to Iraq. The sooner the better. (Photo Karim Kaddim, Associate Press, NYT)