GWOT: seems W got it wrong (who'd-a-thunk?)

Study questions US strategy against al-Qaida
By BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer
28 July 2008
WASHINGTON - The United States can defeat al-Qaida if it relies less on force and more on policing and intelligence to root out the terror group's leaders, a new study contends.
...
[The Rand research center's] report said that the use of military force by the United States or other countries should be reserved for quelling large, well-armed and well-organized insurgencies, and that American officials should stop using the term "war on terror" and replace it with "counterterrorism."

"Terrorists should be perceived and described as criminals, not holy warriors, and our analysis suggests there is no battlefield solution to terrorism," said Seth Jones, the lead author of the study and a Rand political scientist.

Hmmm.

Recall, W and his minions pooh-poohed Clinton's approach to terrorists as "criminals". They preferred a WAR, dammit!

After close to seven (7) years, this failed policy is finally being recognized as such: a failed policy.

"The United States has the necessary instruments to defeat al-Qaida, it just needs to shift its strategy," Jones said.

Anyone believe McCain will shift our strategy?

Stop the madness!