Imagine

If only other Arab and Muslim countries took an interest in helping to stabilize Iraq. Wouldn't it be great if Saudi Arabia agreed to bankroll a force of hundreds of Arab and Muslim troops to go to Iraq, and under the authority of the interim Iraqi government, work to help the UN prepare for, and carry out, the January elections?

It seems like it would be a win-win. The other Muslim countries would get to feel like they were supporting their Muslim brothers in their move toward freedom, loosening the grip of the infidel occupiers, the Iraqis would probably feel better about having other Arabs on patrol than US troops, and we could give some of our troops a break, and maybe get some reconstruction done. If only the Arab world would get its act together.

Oh.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- President George W. Bush rebuffed a plan last month for a Muslim peacekeeping force that would have helped the United Nations organize elections in Iraq, according to Saudi and Iraqi officials.

As a result, the UN continues to have a skeletal presence in Iraq, with only four staff members working full time on preparing for elections set for the end of January.

I don't think I could make this stuff up if I tried. Can they do nothing right?

It does, however, provide an answer to that question about where Kerry might find someone willing to send in troops to help us.