Former Top Bush Official Ridicules Mideast Policy

Crisis Could Undercut Bush’s Long-Term Goals

Haass, the former Bush aide who leads the Council on Foreign Relations, laughed at the president’s public optimism. “An opportunity?” Haass said with an incredulous tone. “Lord, spare me. I don’t laugh a lot. That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard in a long time. If this is an opportunity, what’s Iraq? A once-in-a-lifetime chance?”

Richard Haass is the head guy at the Council on Foreign Relations, there is no post more establishment or important outside government than this.