Zbigniew Brzezinski, national security advisor under President Carter, believes that the Bush Administration must implement a four-step plan to disengage the US military from Iraq. Speaking at a media breakfast in Washington on May 25, Brzezinski told reporters that his plan calls for the new Iraqi government to assume control and US troops to pull out in one year. It also entails a firm date, announced jointly by the Iraqi and American governments. He would have the Iraqi government invite Muslim countries to discuss ways to stabilize Iraq. And, he believes that the US should organize a conference for nation states with an interest in oil to discuss ways to stabilize the Iraqi economy.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.