Among other things, it looks as if the Brits are pulling out of the neocons’ adventure in Mesopotamia:
GORDON Brown yesterday delivered a stirring festive message to Our Boys in Iraq: “Happy Christmas – war is over.” The PM was cheered as he praised UK troops and revealed combat operations in Basra will end “within two weeks”. Iraqi forces will take over as the 4,500-strong British force switches from front-line duties to a training role. By early next year, our contingent in Southern Iraq will be cut to 2,500 – and may be withdrawn completely in March.
I think this could be interpreted as the official announcement of the start of George Bush’s lame duck period.