Iraq: Every once in a while the Pentagon releases a report saying...

...that in their analysis, U.S. troops are likely to be in Iraq for X more years. Usually decades. I don't have any supporting links so if you're not familiar with these reports, pass over this message. But to those who know what I'm talking about, and it seems I see these sorts of reports in the news quarterally or biannually so there should be others familiar, do you ever find yourself pondering "With the situation in Iraq as bad as it is and deteriorating so rapidly is there something, some strategy, that they know that we don't?"

  For instance, every time I hear about one of these "forecasts" I let out a snort. "Good fucking luck keeping the Green Zone for the next two weeks" is my usual response. But after that's passed I wonder "Why are they even making reports like this when the reality of what they're asking, the ability to keep U.S. troops in Iraq for X more years (usually, as I said before, X decades) is so completely unrealistic?"

  And so although I've been burned on this before, I'll assume they're not just smoking crack. Bush is leaving in 2008 (I presume) and it's likely (knock wood) that a Democrat will come in. What does the Pentagon know or...what does it think it knows about our involvement in Iraq that basically states "Yes, we know the building will be completely burned down in three years. However, we forecast keeping our offices in that building for the next 20"?

PB