Here we go again: Bush makes surprise visit to Iraq.

I’ve mentioned this many times before, I understand the reasons for the secrecy and the need for the visits to be surprises, but what does it say about how well things are going over in Iraq when – three years after “shock and awe,” Saddam captured and on trial, a new Iraqi government formed – that leaders of the US still have to come into the country through the back door?

Doesn’t say much good, I’m afraid.

I mean, when’s the last time you saw a headline that read “[VIP US official] Makes Surprise Visit to Aukland, New Zealand”? Pick your destination. Guess which ones will have to be “surprises.”