The Vacation President

"Arab governments and a growing number of Israelis, meanwhile, argue that a truce with Hamas is the only way forward. Hamas has repeatedly hinted that it is open to one; Egypt has been trying to play broker, and Mr. Abbas suggested yesterday that he might be willing to serve as an intermediary between Hamas and Israel. Predictably, the Bush administration and the Israeli military establishment oppose any such deal, both for ideological reasons and because it could allow Hamas to rest and rearm. But if there is no truce, the war in Gaza will continue -- and the peace process will not move forward."

Iran Watch

Robin Wright and Colum Lynch write in The Washington Post: "The United Nations imposed new sanctions on Iran yesterday, capping a year of difficult diplomacy that may represent the Bush administration's final bid to mobilize international action against Tehran over its controversial nuclear program.

"Just five months after President Bush warned that Iran's alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons could lead to 'World War III,' the White House had to settle for a watered-down U.N. resolution that makes most trade and financial sanctions voluntary. The Security Council voted 14 to 0 to sanction Iran for refusing to stop its uranium-enrichment program, falling one short of the unanimous vote the White House sought to signal the international community's resolve."

Andrew Sullivan blogs for the Atlantic that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's "visit with the Shiite government of Iraq is a useful reminder of what the permanent Iraq occupation means: an expansion of the power of Iran in the region, even as its nuclear bomb aspirations continue, and the slow emasculation of the US."

Charles Kupchan and Ray Takeyh write in a Los Angeles Times opinion column: "After three decades of isolating Iran, it is time to acknowledge that economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure and military threats have failed to bring Tehran to heel. To be sure, Iran's nuclear program, its support of extremist groups standing in the way of the peace process and its arming of Shiite militias in Iraq pose serious threats to the U.S. and its allies.

"However, containment has not worked, and the debacle in Iraq has made clear the dangers of regime change by force. The best means of addressing the Iranian threat are through patient diplomacy and regional integration along the lines envisioned by America's Arab allies."

Iraq Watch

Ben Feller writes for the Associated Press: "President Bush pledged Monday that security gains will continue in Iraq but offered no new details about how that promise will affect the timing of additional U.S. troop withdrawals.

"In thanking Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, who until recently served as the No. 2 commander in Iraq, Bush said, 'The gains that you and your teams have made will continue on, because stakes in Iraq are essential for peace, essential for freedom, and essential for the security of this country."

Here's the transcript of Bush's remarks, in which he contributed a memorable Bushism: "And so, General, I want to thank you for your service," Bush said. "And I appreciate the fact that you really snatched defeat out of the jaws of those who are trying to defeat us in Iraq."

The Cost

Daniel Trotta writes for Reuters: "The Iraq war has contributed to the U.S. economic slowdown and is impeding an economic recovery, Nobel-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz says.

"Meanwhile, the U.S. government is severely underestimating the cost of the war, Stiglitz and co-author Linda Bilmes write in their book, 'The Three Trillion Dollar War' . . .

"Stiglitz and Bilmes argue the true costs are at least $3 trillion under what they call an ultraconservative estimate, and could surpass the cost of World War Two, which they put at $5 trillion after adjusting for inflation. . . .