I have no interest in paying $27 for John Bolton’s Surrender is Not an Option, even if he were willing to sign it from me. But I have been enjoying recent reviews of the book. Mark Goldberg’s take, written for the American Prospect, is especially sharp.

Mary Matalin, Ken Mehlman, and Vin Weber are going to be hosting a book party for John Bolton on November 19th. But the anti-Bush administration rhetoric now spewing forth from Bolton is shocking a lot of avid Bush supporters and hitting higher and higher decibel levels.

In discussing Pakistan on a media conference call today, Foreign Relations Chairman Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) advocated a more nuanced policy attuned to the regional contours and contemporary contingencies than the U.S. political and electoral arena will usually allow.

Senator Chuck Hagel‘s speech title today, “The U.S. and Iran: At a Dangerous Crossroads” is all wrong.

I’m not supposed to post anything until 11 am, but I’m going to cheat just a little with this quip from Hagel’s speech addressing President Bush’s careless talk about a new world war: Loose talk of World War III, intimidation, threats, bellicose speeches only heighten the dangers we face in the world.

TWN has a busy day ahead. I will be listening in to Senator Joe Biden‘s conference call on his “New Strategy for Pakistan” at 11 am. We’ll also be covering Senator Hagel‘s 11 am speech on Iran.

The lead editorial in today’s Houston Chronicle lauds Senator Hagel‘s letter to President Bush, which this blog first released. The editorial starts: One of the most informed and balanced experts on international relations in the U.S. Senate is Nebraska Republican Chuck Hagel.

. . .the latest in pret-a-lac sportswear for dogs.

Flynt Leverett previously served as Senior Director for Middle East Affairs on President George W. Bush’s National Security Council and is now the Director of the Geopolitics of Energy Initiative at the New America Foundation.

(General George Washington (played by Dean Malissa) and General Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de LaFayette (played by Benjamin Goldman), toast each other at the beginning of their dialogue Tuesday, Nov.