Iraq: A Sweeping, Secret New Report

Blares the Newsweek headline.

Before we got to Newsweeks report, let's remember that this is the same Newsweek that fabricated a story about our troops desecrating the Koran at Gitmo. The story resulted in Muslim riots around the world and several deaths. This also the same Newsweek that bragged it could deliver 14 points for John Kerry in the last election and the same Newsweek that called Bush a dictator. Now to Newseeks latest attack on our military and the administration.

Let's start with the headline: "A Sweeping, Secret New Report"

If it's secret, what's Newsweek doing with it? Which leads to the next question, who leaked it to Newsweek? And since the report is secret, we only have Newsweeks word for what's in it. Newsweeks past record would indicate taking their word for it is a bad idea.

Here's the opening paragraph (note the date).

Sept. 11, 2006 issue - Bush administration policymakers and their congressional backers may get some unwelcome news from a new analysis on Iraq that the office of intelligence czar John Negroponte will soon produce.

"May"? Why is Newsweek hedging here? Don't they know? Are they holding something back?

Newsweek continues hedging.

The contents of the report may have been foreshadowed in a recent series of closed-door briefings given to Congress by the Defense Intelligence Agency. The Pentagon's intelligence arm painted a scenario in which Iraq could dissolve into civil war if Iraqi security forces don't soon get their act together. One official familiar with the briefing, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitive subject matter, said that the picture it painted was dire, although another official—who requested anonymity for the same reason—insisted it was not entirely despairing, since Iraqi security forces were beginning to improve. Though NIEs are normally classified, Dems are already pressing the administration to make public a summary of the upcoming study. The officials said intel agencies are under some pressure to produce the new report before the November midterm elections.

If you were paying attention, Newsweek let slip who's applying the pressure.

"... the Senate Dems asked for U.S. analysts' best assessment on a sheaf of awkward issues,..."

So, what has Newsweek got in their story? May, if, could, annonomous sources and a secret report they appear not to have. Other than the fact that the Democrats are trying to use our troops for plitical gain, Newsweek's got nothing.