Dear Iraq: It's Time to Step Up. Sincerely, W

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• Want to Save Detroit? End the Iraq War

  Nov 26, 08 11:30 AM CST
  You don’t hear much about the Iraq war these days, though the US death toll hit 4,205 on Monday. If human life isn't a convincing enough reason to bow out, writes Roger Simon in Politico, then here's one that "really is upsetting people these days: money." The war costs us $9-$12 billion per month, making Detroit’s request for a $25 billion bailout seem paltry. More »

• The GOP Plan: Less Regulation, Private Funding

  Sep 26, 08 8:09 AM CDT
  When John Boehner scuppered the nearly-sealed bailout deal at yesterday's meeting, the House minority leader proposed an alternative plan: a bank-financed insurance system that would rescue individual mortgages. Under the GOP proposal, the government would not buy up the toxic mortgage-backed securities at the heart of the crisis but instead rely on a more market-based approach. The treasury and the Federal Reserve had already considered and rejected such a plan, notes the Washington Post.
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• Bush Advised to Delay Troop Cuts in Iraq

  Sep 5, 08 10:47 AM CDT
  President Bush's top defense advisers have recommended he maintain 15 combat brigades in Iraq until the end of the year—contrary to expectations that the improved security in Iraq would allow for quicker cuts, the AP has learned. If Bush follows the recommendations, he would delay any additional buildup in Afghanistan until early next year. More »

• Maliki Backs Obama Iraq Plan

  Jul 19, 08 3:36 PM CDT
  While shying away from a presidential endorsement, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki expressed support for Barack Obama’s 16-month timeline for withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, Der Spiegel reports. He expressed frustration at his country’s lack of control over US forces and said they should leave "as soon as possible, as far as we are concerned." More »

• US, Iraq Agree to Set 'Time Horizon' for Troop Cuts

  Jul 18, 08 1:55 PM CDT
  George Bush and Nouri al-Maliki have agreed that a security pact should include a general, non-binding “time horizon” for troop withdrawals from Iraq, the White House said today. The leaders agreed to lay down “aspirational goals” based on improving ground conditions, Reuters reports, striking a compromise between the prime minister’s recent calls for a timetable and President Bush’s aversion to hard deadlines. More »