20,000 more

Well, it didn't take long. Just to show who is the boss, now for Bush the path to victory means 20,000 more troops in Iraq, or at least so says the Guardian. It's part of a 'four point strategy' that has 'last gasp' written all over it. In a nutshell:

Four-point strategy

• Increase US troop levels by up to 20,000 to secure Baghdad and allow redeployments elsewhere in Iraq
• Focus on regional cooperation with international conference and/or direct diplomatic involvement of countries such as Kuwait and Saudi Arabia
• Revive reconciliation process between Sunni, Shia and others
• Increased resources from Congress to fund training and equipment of Iraqi security forces

Points 2 and 3 seem like so much window dressing, the Kuwaitis and and Saudis bring nothing to the party, and there's no reason to think the Sunni, Shia and Kurds have a lot to talk about under US pressure. So it's more troops, and more money to be looted. Basically a gentle bitch-slapping of the Democratic Congress to be, letting them know that not only will they have to pay, they'll have to pay more. As Cheney says, "Full speed ahead." Looks like reports of his political demise are exaggerated.

Unspoken is the possibility of needing more troops if we are to have a little adventure in Iran. 20,000 will not be enough, but it's a first step.
(h/t Atrios)