I'm sure Bush will spin. Wouldn't you? Does that make this news anything other than an early seasonal gift for the whole world?

Saddam was & is a scumbag of the first water. The fact that he's been caught can only be good news for everyone, & for the peoples of Iraq in particular. The real test now will be how the US administration reacts. What now needs to happen is for them to avoid any excessive use of, or even overt display of, force; & to take this as opportunity to begin reducing their presence (which is not necessarily the same as leaving any earlier) ASAP.

They desperately need to reduce their profile in Iraq. The capture of Saddam ought to disembowel the resistance (which is not necessarily to say that it will). The US coalition now has a fabulous opportunity to improve their PR. And whilst we can all be cynical about PR & spin, it would be foolish to think that (if the opportunity is grasped) it will not make a profound difference to the present & future of Iraq.

Here's hoping, but forgive me if there's a tiny little cynical voice in the back of my mind demanding "Let's wait & see..."