For many months, at least since President George W. Bush announced that we would “stand down” in Iraq as quickly as the Iraqis “stand up”, it has been a puzzle as to why we were building permanent military bases in Iraq if “standing down” meant, as most Americans assumed, getting out–withdrawing our troops.

By now, I should know what I’m getting into when I agree to help Steve out with the blog — just like last year, he’s managed to assemble an impressive array of guest posters. No doubt we can expect some sparks again, as events seem to flare up as soon as Steve leaves for vacation….

I may occasionally check in while on vacation, but TWN readers are in for a treat this week. When I travel, I try to invite a diverse group to consider blogging about whatever moves them, in a diverse set of areas.

The flurry of hope and skepticism that proposed talks with Iran will lead anywhere are dominating the news, even here in Athens.

Condoleezza Rice just really pissed off John Bolton, whom TWN has learned is seething about Rice’s offer of direct negotiations with Iran.

During the Soviet war with Afghanistan, which Zbig Brzezinski once commented he helped lead the USSR into — helping in his view to end the Cold War with the minor cost of riling up some Muslims — morale among Russian troops was always reported to be high.

Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick didn’t want to “manage” the State Department in the same manner that his predecessor Richard Armitage did. Zoellick wanted to carve out portfolios that he would manage, and left the meat-and-potato operations of the department to others.

A few commenters and those who have emailed have taken exception to my stating where I am during my travels at the moment. I state where I am because I like to meet TWN readers in the cities I visit.

I am currently in Mykonos, after having spent a few days at a conference organized by New York University’s Center on Law and Security focusing on the legal frameworks through which governments pursue and handle would-be terrorists. One of the conference participants was Nir Rosen, a colleague of mine at the New America Foundation.

I’ve always been interested in Mt. Everest and the spell it casts over some climbers and have been paying some attention to the recent tragedies of people climbing, getting sick on the mountain, and left by others who would risk their own survival if helping those who stopped on the mountain.