That's a darned good question, says the BBC's security correspondent Gordon Corera. The question is bubbling in part because a major announcement is expected to coincide with the anniversary of the Iranian revolution.

Unfortunately, because the answer isn't known, it could lead to an "accidental war."

Sounding more like Nikita Krushchev than Mikhail Gorbachev, Russia's President Vladimir Putin blasted the U.S. over its aggressive use of force. Commentators think the speech could mark a turning point in international relations.

Gen. David H. Petraeus took command of U.S. forces in Iraq today, and pronounced their task there as hard but not hopeless. (emphasis mine - BD)

That's quite a pep talk!