BUSH, IRAQ, SYRIA AND IRAN: IS A SURGE ALONE ENOUGH?

HERE'S WHAT BUSH SAID:

Succeeding in Iraq also requires defending its territorial integrity – and stabilizing the region in the face of the extremist challenge. This begins with addressing Iran and Syria.

These two regimes are allowing terrorists and insurgents to use their territory to move in and out of Iraq. Iran is providing material support for attacks on American troops.

We will disrupt the attacks on our forces. We will interrupt the flow of support from Iran and Syria. And we will seek out and destroy the networks providing advanced weaponry and training to our enemies in Iraq.

NOW... IF THESE NEW MEASURES (INCLUDING SENDING ONE ADDITIONAL CARRIER GROUP TO THE REGION) FAIL TO STOP IRAN AND SYRIA (BY NOVEMBER - THE TIME WHEN IRAQ IS SUPPOSED TO DEFEND THEMSELVES IN BAGHDAD AND DETER ALL SECTARIAN STRIFE), THEN WHAT WILL WE DO ABOUT IT? WILL WE WALK AWAY AND CEDE MESOPOTAMIA TO THE MULLAHS??

I BELIEVE THAT THIS TALK AND THESE PROPOSED ACTIONS ARE NOT ENOUGH. WE NEED TO CRANK UP THE KINETIC PRESSURE ON SYRIA AND IRAN.

UPDATE: BUSH IS DOING MORE (hat tip Jonah):

US forces have stormed an Iranian consulate in the northern Iraqi town of Irbil and seized five members of staff. The troops raided the building at about 0300 (0001GMT), taking away computers and papers, according to Kurdish media and senior local officials. The US military had no immediate comment on the raid, which comes amid high tension between Iran and the US.

The Bush administration accuses Iran of helping fuel violence in Iraq, as well as trying to develop nuclear weapons. ... the raid could signal a ratcheting-up of pressure on the Iranians, in line with the rhetorical thrust of his speech.

This is KINETIC. This is much more than what the ISG suggested. This is good. Complete round-up here at MEMEORANDUM.

UPDATE #2: Iraqi PM Maliki is cranking up to: finally targeting the Shia militias.