Ron Nessen, a Washingtonpost.com columnist covering think tanks, hails a "voice of reason on Iraq." Do you think it would have been useful for him to note that this think tank, the Middle East Institute, is funded by Saudi Arabia?

In a nutshell, all the recommendations from this think tank serve the Saudis. No permament military bases in Iraq? The Saudis would like that since it reduces US influence and power in the region. No Shiite or Kurdish military in Sunni areas? The Saudis would like that, since it would allow the Sunni (Wahhabis) to gain power a the expense of the Shiites, whom the Saudis fear.

The Saudis have bought off one more person, and the Washington Post provides a forum, free of charge, we presume.

Ed Lasky  12 05 05