Bush Praises Iraqi Offensive

President Bush praised the government of Iraq today for the offensive launched three days ago against militias in Basra, painting it as a sign of progress toward the goals of the US war, the AP reports. Bush also criticized Congress for calling for troop withdrawals so the military’s attention could be turned to anti-terrorism efforts elsewhere, such as Afghanistan.

"This argument makes no sense," Bush chided. "If America's strategic interests are not in Iraq, the convergence point for the twin threats of al-Qaeda and Iran, the nation Osama bin Laden's deputy has called the place for the greatest battle, the country at the heart of the most volatile region on earth, then where are they?" (More Iraq stories.)