Hey Rex and JMA !

Quote Originally Posted by Rex Brynen View Post
I agree, it was a very poor reading of Mugabe's staying power.

It wasn't necessarily indicative of all of the US "machine," however--it is a personal opinion cable by the ambassador, which may well be at odds with assessments offered elsewhere within the State Department, let alone the CIA, etc.
One couldn't fathom what "opinions" end up in a sent message regardless of what the rest of the Country Team thinks or knows.

There's certainly much more under the heading of "misreadings of African leaders" that make me glad to be retired

Regards, Stan