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GUEST: Richard Falk, professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University and distinguished visiting professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara; author of more than 20 books; most recently he coauthored the book “Crimes of War: Iraq,” William Hartung, Director of the Arms Trade Resource Center, senior fellow at the World Policy Institute and author of the book “How Much Are You Making on the War, Daddy?

President Bush last night outlined a “new strategy” that “will change America’s course in Iraq, and help us succeed in the fight against terror.” In his address to the nation, he lauded the election of a new government but placed the blame for renewed violence on “Al Qaeda terrorists and Sunni insurgents.” It was perhaps the President’s humblest speech, admitting mistakes and claiming to take responsibility. In the end he announced, as expected, a 20,000 increase in troop levels in Iraq. In response to the speech, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Senate Democratic Whip Richard Durbin announced a joint statement arguing that a troop increase will not stabilize Iraq. Instead they called for a “phased redeployment of our forces in the next four to six months.” The House and the Senate are expected to vote in the coming days on a nonbinding measure opposing any increase in troops.