Initial thoughts on the president’s speech:

1. Rules of engagement to be liberalized; that is, made more rational. Kill the bad guys. Good.

2. Some acknowledgement that this is, in actuality, a regional war. Some intimation that there could be problems, down the road, for Syria and Iran. The additional Carrier Battle Group deployed to the area might have a contribution to make in that regard. Also good.

3. Oil revenues for all Iraqis. Very good. If you stand to make several thousand dollars a year from oil sales, you are less inclined to wink at your neighbor blowing up the pipeline.

4. A reminder to Malaki that he is not the PM of Shiite Land, but of Iraq. The implication that al Sadr might be called to account. Great, but let’s see if that happens.

5. An acknowledgment that our military is too small. An admission that comes 5 years too late, but better late than never. The next time someone wants to cut the military, remind them that the “peace dividend” is peace. And it is not bought cheaply.

More analysis to come. In the meantime, pray for our troops and our Commander in Chief.

cross-posted at Laconic Blog