Unimpressive. That's the best that I can say about the Iraq Study Group report [PDF document] thus far. I've only read the executive summary and some various commentaries on the document, I hope to get to the remainder in the coming days

Committees formed in Washington, D.C., typically don't solve problems -- they're an excuse for not solving problems. We've had bi-partisan, blue-ribbon committee after committee on fixing Social Security and it's still nothing more than a Ponzi scheme.

Had this committee report been produced by Donald Rumsfeld, the media elite, politicians and others inside the beltway would've laughed it off, but because it's been produced by a bi-partisan commission, this is supposed to be some genius stuff.

Really?

The policies and actions of Iraq's neighbors greatly affect its stability and prosperity. No country in the region will benefit in the long term from a chaotic Iraq. Yet Iraq's neighbors are not doing enough to help Iraq achieve stability. Some are undercutting stability.

The United States should immediately launch a new diplomatic offensive to build an international consensus for stability in Iraq and the region. This diplomatic effort should include every country that has an interest in avoiding a chaotic Iraq, including all of Iraq's neighbors. Iraq's neighbors and key states in and outside the region should form a support group to reinforce security and national reconciliation within Iraq, neither of which Iraq can achieve on its own.

Let's follow the logic here -- some of Iraq's neighbors (read: Syria, Iran) are undercutting stability in the country, but a chaotic Iraq doesn't benefit them.

This is pure genius! We just need to send the committee over there and explain it to them, they'll understand immediately that they're only hurting themselves.

The brilliance continues:

Given the ability of Iran and Syria to influence events within Iraq and their interest in avoiding chaos in Iraq, the United States should try to engage them constructively. In seeking to influence the behavior of both countries, the United States has disincentives and incentives available. Iran should stem the flow of arms and training to Iraq, respect Iraqs sovereignty and territorial integrity, and use its influence over Iraqi Shia groups to encourage national reconciliation. The issue of Iran's nuclear programs should continue to be dealt with by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany. Syria should control its border with Iraq to stem the flow of funding, insurgents, and terrorists in and out of Iraq.

Iran should stem the flow or arms and training to Iraq...

Syria should control its border with Iraq...

Matthew Hoy should be dating Jessica Alba...

These are supposed to be the "realists?"

It gets worse. You see, one of the keys to "success" (not victory) in Iraq is ... the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Yep, those pesky Jews. All would be right in the world if it wasn't for the Jews.

Sorry, but I can't get excited about this inane report.

Other views:

National Review.

Andrew C. McCarthy, of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.

Hugh Hewitt.

Powerline.