In February of ’03 I wrote The Greatness of George W Bush and argued that Bush, in response to 9/11 had set a new course in foreign policy notwithstanding the opposition of his own State Department, the EU and anyone else that mattered.

Even the leftist UK newspaper The Independent published an article in November headlined If enough goes right in his next term, George Bush will have achieved greatness,

For George Bush, there can be no middle way. He is either doomed to failure, or destined for greatness. It is impossible to predict the outcome of the second half of his presidency, but on one point we can be absolutely certain. He is not about to subside into compromise or mediocrity. This president has set enormous events in motion. He has deployed bold strategies in pursuit of grandiose goals and visions. He has already changed the course of American history, ensuring that he will rank with Washington, Lincoln, FDR, Reagan: presidents who made a profound difference.

So let’s take stock.

Clinton accomplished nothing. He made things worse with N. Korea and he lobbed a few missiles at Bin Laden.

Bush, on the other hand, invaded Afghanistan and removed a heinous regime and destroyed the major terrorist base there. Girls are now going to school and women are in parliament. Finally Hamid Karzai was democratically elected as President. The Washington Post headlines an article written by Charles Krauthammer, The Afghan Miracle which reviews the progress made to date. They are on their way.

Despite the doom and gloom in Iraq, great progress is being made according to the Opinion Journal of WSJ. Contrary to the images created by the liberal media, the vast majority of Iraqis are in favour of democracy. The ”insurgents” as they are called are nothing more then fascists who want to defeat democracy and return the criminal Baathist regime to power. They will be defeated and Bush will have racked up another victory.

Another registered party is the Iraq National Democrat Party. The party is run by Mithal al-Alusi, an Iraqi politician who created a controversy by being the first to visit Israel a few months ago. Says Alusi: "We are keeping Iraqi interests in sight. These interests includes strategic relations with the United States and also ties with Israel. . . . The style of rule of Saddam Hussein must change in the direction of closeness with Israel. . . . The Iraqis need to deal with various Israeli companies--particularly those of the half million Iraqis in Israel--from the standpoint of supporting peace and Iraq." The report goes on quote Al-Hayat newspaper, which reported "that the Iraqi National Congress party, under the leadership of Ahmed Chalabi, will join Alusi's new party, since he has officially declared the demise of his previous party. He added that a few men of Muqtada al-Sadr, the extremist Shi'ite leader, have joined him as well”

Libya has abandoned its old ways as a result of the defeat of Sadaam Hussein, inter alia, and has abandoned the pursuit of WMD. They are now being invited into the family of nations.

Despite the lie that Bush is not interested in multilateralism, he managed to get a Security Council resolution passed requiring Syria to withdraw from Lebanon. Now I am pleased to read,

Both the US and France have made it clear to Damascus, via UN envoy Terje Roed-Larsen that they will not tolerate in Syrian meddling by proxy in Lebanese affairs. In a recent three hour meeting with Assad, Larsen told Assad that the for both the US and France, a clean and free election in Lebanon was a sine qua non, and that any attempt by Syria to subvert the electoral process in any way, via gerrymandering or coercion would bring the wrath of Washington and Paris on his head.

He also informed Assad that the US is committed to ensuring that whatever government is elected in Beirut will be able to assert its sovereignty throughout the country. In diplomatic code this means the disarming and neutralizing of Hezbollah. He told Assad that Washington would demand full implementation of Resolution 1559, which calls for the disarming of Hezbollah, meaning that if this is not done the US would refer the matter to the Security Council, which would apply sanctions.

The pressure on Syria is enormous and before the end of next year they will be out of Lebanon and will be following Libya's path.

Furthermore, Powell reports Fissures With Europe Being Closed

With the passing of Arafat, Egypt is moving in a new direction. It hopes to be part of the solution instead of the problem. It is working with the US and Israel to enable progress to be made in ending Palestinian terrorism. There are many more issues to be addressed such as Egyptian incitement to hatred toward Israel and the US and this will bear watching.

Bush has made it abundantly clear that Palestine will be a state but not a terrorist one. To this end he is insisting on democratization and the end of terror first before such a state is created.

Saudi Arabia is being pressed by al Qaeda and the US. Only the US can assure survival of the House of Saud so this one is a no-brainer as to whom they will side with.. Remember the US has 150,000 troops within striking range of their oil fields. Another reason to be in Iraq.

Finally Iran remains a problem and the gravest one at that. The US is working on it and doesn’t underestimate the danger.

The reason for invading Iraq was to further the war on terror. Iraq was a stepping stone to influencing the entire Middle East. So far that plan is working.