One of the All-Time Great Memos

It must really have been something to work for former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. In connection with a book he's promoting, Rumsfeld has made public some of the documents he generated during his tenure. National Journal highlights one particular memo today, written in 2003 to Douglas Feith, then undersecretary of Defense for policy. The subject is "Issues w/Various Countries."

I can't resist quoting the missive it in its entirety:

We need more coercive diplomacy with respect to Syria and Libya, and we need it fast. If they mess up Iraq, it will delay bringing our troops home.

We also need to solve the Pakistan problem.

And Korea doesn't seem to be going well.

Are you coming up with proposals for me to send around?

Thanks.