Iraq Panel Calls Conditions 'Grave and Deteriorating'  —  Conditions in Iraq are "grave and deteriorating," with the prospect that a "slide toward chaos" could topple the U.S.-backed government and trigger a regional war unless the United States changes course and seeks a broader diplomatic …

A Study In Comity  —  Whatever the final impact of the Iraq Study Group report being issued today, for the 10 commission members this was an exhilarating experience, a demonstration of genuine bipartisanship that they hope will serve as an example to the broader political world.

No Middle Ground  —  The Iraq Study Group calls its prescription "responsible transition;" there's nothing responsible about it.  —  Given the specific lineup of the 10 wise men and women serving on the Iraq Study Group, the most conspicuous absence is that of supermodel Heidi Klum.

Panel Backs Overhaul of Iraq Policy  —  Saying that "the situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating," a bipartisan commission today urged stepped-up diplomatic and political efforts to stabilize that country, coupled with a shift in the mission of the American military to allow the United States to …

Lost in the Pony Fields  —  Now that I've read the whole thing, the good news about the Iraq Study Group report is that it's filled with accurate observations about the situation in Iraq.  As Kevin Drum writes it's "more reality-based than the Bush administration, which represents at least a little bit of progress."

PRO FORMA REMARKS ON THE BAKER COMMISSION REPORT.....I can't very well say nothing about the Baker-Hamilton report, can I?  On the other hand, I'm sort of shaking my head trying to figure out anything I ought to say about it.  But let's take a look anyway.  —  It calls for a five-fold increase …

Excerpts of Iraq Study Group Report  —  Here are excerpts from portions of the Iraq Study Group report, which was being released Wednesday:  —  ''The situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating.  There is no path that can guarantee success, but the prospects can be improved.''

ABOUT AS BAD AS ADVERTISED  —  I've read the executive summary of the Iraq Study Group report.  That's probably all I'll have time to read today.  —  According to the summary, the ISG is making two recommendations.  First, it's recommending that the U.S. actively engage Iraq's neighbors …

Senate Confirms Gates as Defense Secretary  —  Robert M. Gates, President Bush's nominee to be defense secretary, was confirmed by the Senate this afternoon, hours after the Iraq Study Group offered recommendations meant to gradually reduce the United States' role in Iraq and stem the increasing violence there.

President Bush Receives Report from the Iraq Study Group  —  THE PRESIDENT: I just received the Iraq Study Group report, prepared by a distinguished panel of our fellow citizens.  I want to thank James Baker and Lee Hamilton and the panel members for spending a lot of time on this really difficult issue.