Some British newspapers are reporting, from sources within the U.K. Defence Ministry, that all U.S./U.K. and other coalition troops will be out of Iraq by early in 2007. Unfortunately for the GOP, unless that news is confirmed by the President before November of 2006, it won't do them much good at the polls. If, however, it is confirmed, then the Iraq issue will be taken away from the Democrats, leaving them with a much smaller chance of taking control of the House or Senate.

This New York Times article describes the bumpy road facing Iranian scientists as they try to build nuclear weapons. Tomorrow, the IAEA will meet and release its full report on Iran and formally refer the matter to the U.N. Security Council. This article, from the Washington Times, which describes a speech made by an Iranian official who claims his country has been deceiving the Europeans about their nuclear plans, won't help the Iranians much when it comes to preventing referral to the council. I expect the referral to happen, based on the last vote made by the IAEA on the matter. I still believe it is very unlikely that the Security Council will approve any really tough sanctions against Iran, as the Russians and Chinese will probably stand in the way. If only modest sanctions are approved, and the Iranians begin full-scale Uranium enrichment as they have promised they will do upon approval of sanctions against them, then there will be nothing to prevent the Iranians from moving forward towards nuclear status. Except, of course, military action.