The freedom enjoyed in Najaf as a result of American actions in 2003 and 2004 will not matter if the United States has no diplomats permanently in Shiite Islam's Vatican City, ready to make Washington's case; America's enemies will define our legacy.

The United States should protect the Iraqi electoral process from anyone seeking to manipulate its outcome.

The approval by the Iraqi parliament of a strategic framework agreement represents a tremendous success for the United States and for a free Iraq.

Insurgencies end when they are defeated, not when their participants win immunity.

The Democrats are wrong when theyinsist both that the Iraq war is lost and that setting timelines is the best way to achieve a political settlement.

Thefocusof American involvement in Iraqshould be to clear and hold the Sunni areas of Baghdad and the Sunni triangle to the north.

Withdrawal from Iraq's cities is good politics in Washington, but when premature and done under fire it may very well condemn Iraqis to repeat their past.

The Iraqi government ensured integrity and security, while Iran and sectarianism were the big losers.