Panel: Try diplomacy in Iraq, then leave

Panel: Try diplomacy in Iraq, then leave - AP: "The United States faces a 'grave and deteriorating' situation after nearly four years of war in Iraq, a high-level commission warned bluntly on Wednesday, prodding President Bush to launch a diplomatic offensive to stabilize the country and allow withdrawal of most combat troops by early 2008.

'There is no path that can guarantee success, but the prospects can be improved,' the commission said after its review of a war that has taken the lives of more than 2,900 U.S. troops and grown so unpopular at home that it helped trigger a Democratic takeover of Congress in last month's elections.

The commission recommended the United States reduce 'political, military or economic support' for Iraq if the government in Baghdad cannot make substantial progress toward providing for its own security. Portions of the report were obtained by The Associated Press."