In today's New York Times, Bob Herbert writes, "Last week's terror bombings in London should be seen as a reminder not just that Mr. Bush's war was a hideous diversion of focus and resources from the essential battle against terror, but that it has actually increased the danger of terrorist attacks against the U.S. and its allies." This is not second-guessing. It is, as Herbert puts it, a "reminder." The London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies made the point last October that the Iraq war was a boon for Al Qaeda recruiting efforts. And an article in the Los Angeles Times last September made the point that Al Qaeda was evolving into a more decentralized and ideologically-driven network that American counter-terrorism efforts were failing to address.
"Some wonder," President Bush said in his speech at Fort Bragg last month, "whether Iraq is a central front in the war on terror." Yes, Mr. President. Some wonder.