due diligence

This report on how the new president is taking his time over his first big decision as commander-in-chief is reassuring, as it suggests that despite his relative inexperience in these matters he won't allow himself to be easily rolled by the generals, as Bush was in his first term. Even more encouraging is that his Republican Defence Secretary is supporting this deliberation, and urging caution. Robert Gates is the anti-Rumsfeld; a conservative in all the best ways.