Rice: "The cost of this war for Americans and Iraqis, has been greater than we ever imagined. ... We have made mistakes. That is undeniable.."

Sec. Of State, Condoleeza Rice in Foreign Affairs, here

Nuke & Spooks comments that "Rice defends the basic tenets of hers and President Bush's foreign policy: the decision to invade Iraq, trying to democratize the Middle East, tough stances toward Iran and Syria.

But she also acknowledges flawed tactics and execution. Of Iraq, she writes "The cost of this war, in lives and treasure, for Americans and Iraqis, has been greater than we ever imagined. ... We have made mistakes. That is undeniable.

On Middle East democracy, Rice seems more willing to acknowledge the points of her skeptics, even as she argues that pushing Arab regimes to open up is the right policy.

Her biggest turn-about, however, is on "nation-building," using U.S. power and resources, including the U.S. military, to rebuild shattered societies...."