] In other words, Iraq is a means toward an end. It is not
] an end in itself. It achieves nothing definitive by itself.
] Its purpose is to enable the United States to achieve other
] ends later, ends that will bring the nation closer to winning
] the war -- or so Washington hopes.
]
] ...the primary purpose of the Iraq war is to set the stage for
] undermining the foundations of al Qaeda in particular and
] of radical Islam as an effective paramilitary force in
] general.
]
] If the campaign goes well, two points will sink in: First,
] that the international system, alliances and institutions
] cannot contain American power; there is no protection there.
] And second, that the American ability to exercise warfare at
] extreme distances is overwhelming. Therefore, resistance to
] the United States is less rational than accommodating the
] United States.

Stratfor explains US strategy really well...

[IP] Stratfor Weekly: Beyond the Iraq Campaign

] This war, should it come, is intended to mark the
] official emergence of the United States as a full-fledged
] global empire, seizing sole responsibility and authority
] as planetary policeman.

A number of interesting links here. I don't like the AJC, but its NOT a left wing journal.

ajc.com | Opinion | Bush's real goal in Iraq

] "This is a very intriguing decision (by Beers)," said
] author and intelligence expert James Bamford. "There is a
] predominant belief in the intelligence community that an
] invasion of Iraq will cause more terrorism than it will
] prevent. There is also a tremendous amount of
] embarrassment by intelligence professionals that there
] have been so many lies out of the administration -- by
] the president, (Vice President Dick) Cheney and
] (Secretary of State Colin) Powell -- over Iraq."

United Press International: Top White House anti-terror boss resigns

] If the nation escalates to "red alert," which is the
] highest in the color-coded readiness against terror, you
] will be assumed by authorities to be the enemy if you so
] much as venture outside your home, the state's
] anti-terror czar says.

politechbot.com: 'Red alert' means New Jerseyans may not leave their homes

] Six months after President Bush first appeared before the
] United Nations and urged a confrontation with Iraq, the
] United States appears to have lost diplomatic ground, not
] gained it, leaving it in a precarious international
] position as it prepares to launch a war.

U.S. Missteps Led to Failed Diplomacy (washingtonpost.com)

] Profound changes have been taking place in American
] foreign policy, reversing consistent bipartisan
] commitments that for more than two centuries have earned
] our nation greatness.

Jimmy Carter's recent essay.

Just War - Jimmy Carter

Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the suspected mastermind of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, was arrested Saturday in Pakistan.

Pakistan Arrests Alleged 9/11 Mastermind

] The U.S. government will lower on Thursday the terror
] threat level back to yellow, which means a "significant"
] risk of attack, three administration officials said.

Well, I guess DOHS doesn't think that MEMRI post is credible.

Yahoo! News - US to Lower Terror Attack Threat Level

So, here is an official U.S. Government site that explains terrorist attack preparedness using the format of airline saftey instruction cards. "Duck and Cover..."

Ready.gov - Be Informed - Chemical threat - Visual Guide

] 'I ask the marchers to understand this: I do not seek
] unpopularity as a badge of honour. But sometimes it is
] the price of leadership. And it is the cost of
] conviction.'

Blair is quoted several times in this article responding to today's protests.

Subtexts:
1. The protests are having an impact.
2. If you want to understand whats going on with Iraq, don't look to Bush, look to Blair.

The Observer | Blair stakes his political future on beating Iraq