The News from Iraq:

The latest from Iraq is the increased sectarian conflict that is causing tens of thousands of Iraqis to flee their homes as the country further divides itself in preparation for a full-scale civil war.

Mixed areas of Sunni and Shiite groups are ceasing to exist as armed men from both groups force people to leave their homes, further dividing the population and inhibiting the possibility of the country developing a viable government.

The four or five provinces where most of the population lives, including Baghdad, contain a mix of both religious groups, and for the country to form a workable government, the two groups must be able to work together and live together. The Bush strategy depends upon this.

As of today, more than 30,000 people have been forced to leave their homes at gun point, as insergents threaten to murder them. Bush's military forces are incapable of preventing or even slowing this behavior. The country needs its own police force and military force to be able to combat the insergents, but as long as the insergency continues the likelihood of developing effective forces seem remote.

Without a strong central government, the country will not be able to develop a strong police and military force. And without a strong police and military force, it is extremely unlikely that an effective government can be formed.