Repetition Does Not Truth Make

Eight times. Eight times in one speech, George Bush yesterday claimed "the American people are safer" because of his wars and rumours of war. Juan Cole picks his claims apart, one by one, showing the truth behind this particular curtain. Bush has made an already dangerous world even more so, and has placed Americans everywhere, at home and abroad, in the greatest danger yet. From Dr. Cole:

So, no, Americans are not safer, Mr. Bush. They face the threat of substantial narco-terrorism from Afghanistan. Iraq is a security nightmare that could well blow back on the American homeland. Pakistan remains a military dictatorship with a host of militant jihadi movements that had been fomented by the hardline Pakistani military intelligence. Saudi Arabia is witnessing increased al-Qaeda activity and attacks on Westerners. And the Israeli-Palestine dispute is being left to fester and poison the world.

These are not achievements to be proud of. This is a string of disasters. We are not safer. We face incredible danger because of the way the Bush administration has grossly mishandled the Middle East.

What he said.