I'd like to focus on some accomplishments and/or progress that have been made in the world under the Bush Administration. I'm not trying to say his administration is the best, or that it is great, nor is this an attempt to make starry-eyed pronouncements.

I'm merely trying to bring into light the fact that this administration has done more than Afghanistan and Iraq. In reference to Iraq it isn't the quagmire that some would have us believe, and usually the naysayers have never set foot in Iraq, much less gone on a patrol with the Iraqi Army or joint force. But I digress.

This is also not trying to take away any initiatives that may have been started by previour administrations or away from other global leaders around the world during this or any previous time.

I would just like to list the following things, and then we can discuss our viewpoints on these points and how they might be qualified:

MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA:
- Saddam Hussein brought to justice
- Iraq brought under Democracy and Capitalism

- Taliban Removed from Afghanistan (out of power but still lingering elements fighting)
- Al-Qaeda brought to justice for 9/11, Yemen, Africa, etc.

- Ethiopia takes action against CIC (AQ element) in Somalia
- shows that the US isn't the only nation that is 'in the fight against terror'

- Israel / Palestine and Arab Nations meet for peace summit
- Fatah recognizes Israel as a sovereign nation and the Israeli Govt. recognizes Fatah

- AFRICOM initiated to bring continent under 1 command for humanitarian and military assistance (ongoing / success measured by African Nations' response)

- Yemen on the offensive against terrorist elements within the country

- Pakistan run by president (albeit Musharrif) instead of military chief
- Pakistani military taking the fight against terrorist elements in the FTA
-FTA: Federated Tribal Area

- Libya gives up WMD programs and divulges all information about those programs


ASIA:
- North Korea meets with South for peace treaty, ending 57 years of war
- North Korea entering the Global economy for the first time in decades (ongoing / success will be measured by foreign investment and gain)
- North Korea normalizing relations with US and Japan
- Force drawdown in South Korea with all US forces removed from the DMZ, and soon 100% out of Seoul.

- Vietnam normalizes relations with US and enters into future Free-Trade Agreement with US


EUROPE:
- Force drawdown (troop presence reduced) in Pacific and Europe


UNITED STATES:
- Start of the first effective border fence with Mexico (ongoing / future policy will dictate if the entire border will be fenced)


WORLD:
- US did not sign Kyoto Treaty; would have cost $Billions against the US economy for negligible returns on environmental impact (complete)