Getting serious in the 9th inning.

That's not how you play ball. But I guess it's how you fight wars.

From the WaPo:

The Bush administration has authorized the U.S. military to kill or capture Iranian operatives inside Iraq as part of an aggressive new strategy to weaken Tehran's influence across the Middle East and compel it to give up its nuclear program, according to government and counterterrorism officials with direct knowledge of the effort.

For more than a year, U.S. forces in Iraq have secretly detained dozens of suspected Iranian agents, holding them for three to four days at a time. The "catch and release" policy was designed to avoid escalating tensions with Iran and yet intimidate its emissaries.

Now just who were we trying to please fighting in Iraq with such heavy engagement restrictions? Those already against the war? Those already anti-American? Or those peace-loving Sunnis and Shias? At least we're getting serious while still in the game.