The Next Six Months, Six Months Later

Six months ago--or was it eight?--we first compiled a record of Iraq war supporters' broken record on the perpetual light at the end of the "next six months" in Iraq.  With another Friedman Unit behind us, we've revisited the relentless optimism of the Bush administration and their friends who support the war that all that's needed to achieve stability, a further drawdown of troops, or political reconciliation is another six months.

Click and drag anywhere on the timeline to scan backwards in time all the way to the beginning of the war in spring 2003. Click on the quotes for more information on the speaker and his or her statement.

For more on this topic:

• Read "Strategic Reset," the Center for American Progress's plan for reclaiming control of U.S. security in the Middle East.
• To learn about "Friedman Units," the concept on which this timeline was based, click here.