The NIE and Iraq.

Putz has already downplayed the latest NIE even before it was released, suggesting that the agencies, which Bush has remade since 9/11 and which he has staffed, and which report to him, had "hidden agendas" (translation, are anti-Bush). You can hear him bracing for the obvious bad news with this post.

ARE WE MORE OR LESS SAFE? The NIE will apparently be released soon, so maybe we'll get some answers. Or maybe not.

Indeed (via Kos).

We assess that the Iraq jihad is shaping a new generation of terrorist leaders and operatives; perceived jihadist success there would inspire more fighters to continue thestruggle elsewhere.

• The Iraq conflict has become the “cause celebre” for jihadists, breeding a deep resentment of US involvement in the Muslim world and cultivating supporters for the global jihadist movement. Should jihadists leaving Iraq perceive themselves, and be perceived, to have failed, we judge fewer fighters will be inspired to carry on the fight.

Looks like we got the answer.