Iran. And maybe Syria.

Now at "Beltway insider" level, a discussion is taking place about the rumor? inside info? that the President has authorized, by Executive Order to Defense and the CIA, military operations against Iran and Syria. 

What is disconcerting is that some are speculating that Bush has decided to heat up military engagement with Iran and Syria -- taking possible action within their borders, not just within Iraq. Some are suggesting that the Consulate raid may have been designed to try and prompt a military response from Iran -- to generate a casus belli for further American action. If this is the case, the debate about adding four brigades to Iraq is pathetic. The situation will get even hotter than it now is, worsening the American position and exposing the fact that to fight Iran both within the borders of Iraq and into Iranian territory, there are not enough troops in the theatre. Bush may really have pushed the escalation pedal more than any of us realize.

Not mentioned is the incident a month or so ago when American military arrested, without cause, Iranian diplomats and military officers on an official visit to Baghdad and Maliki's government. That seemed like blatant provocation at the time -- to me, anyway.  So I don't in the least think talk about that Executive Order is nuts.