State versus Defense

Has any one else noticed that Defense department seems to be making political decisions in Iraq, when those type of decisions used to -- should be -- made by the State department?

Rummy, wolfie and perle, seem to be all over the airwaves talking about the politics of the situation: who will be the PM, etc. etc. These guys are Defense dunderheads, not ambassadors or diplomats.

Is this just a symptom of the rummification of foreign policy? Certainly the stench of failure tells us so. The Sec. of State, Powell, while he himself amounts to not much more than a street-walker (no offense ladies) does command the branch of government that has incredible experience in foreign affairs. Why aren't they being used? Surely things wouldn't be so screwed up if bush used the correct personnel for the job.

charge of foreign policy

occupation, according to * last December(?).

Colin Powell and the State Department have not been allowed to do much with Iraq.