A memo by Donald Rumsfeld, the outgoing defense secretary, recommending changes in American strategy in Iraq is being spun in some quarters as a declaration of capitulation. In fact, it is akin to what an assistant coach for an underperforming NFL team might hand to the head coach, if the assistant seeks to alter a game plan so that his team will win.

Winning in Iraq, however, does not seem to be a priority for growing numbers of American politicians. They are like the crowd at a football game that sees the home team losing and heads for the exits before the game is over, only to miss the big comeback and victory. Unlike football, however, the only “game” following a failure to prevail in Iraq will be one in which America is the biggest loser.

In his memo, Mr. Rumsfeld’s list of “above the line” options contain an element of troop reductions, but his recommendations are designed to put progress ahead of pullout, so that withdrawal follows the attainment of a more stable Iraq, instead of impeding it. That is the main difference between the Rumsfeld memo and the vociferous “withdraw now” crowd. Mr. Rumsfeld and President Bush want to see an independent and stable Iraq achieved first.

The leak of the Rumsfeld memo precedes the Iraq Study Group report, due December 6. About it, Ralph Peters, a retired military officer, writes in the Weekly Standard, “No matter the politically correct language in which it may be couched, the group’s fundamental recommendation will be to return to a foreign policy in which the quest for stability trumps freedom, ignores human rights, frustrates the will of ordinary people, and violates elementary decency. By resisting change, the study group will only make the changes that do come to the Middle East even more explosive and anti-American.”

There is something else the Iraq Study Group is unlikely to address. It is the loss of fear by our enemies. America was once feared and respected around the world. Once, few would have dared kidnap an American because of certain retribution. The loss of fear started with Jimmy Carter, who allowed followers of Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini to hold American hostages for 444 days. It was no coincidence that Khomeini released the hostages just 20 minutes after Ronald Reagan’s inaugural address. Khomeini must have believed reports that Reagan was a “cowboy” and might flatten Iran with nuclear bombs.

It’s been the same with Israel. Prime Minister Begin believed in retaliation against anyone who attacked Israel. On December 3, Israel’s Cabinet voted to continue the policy of restraint in the Gaza Strip, although there is no restraint by Israel’s enemies. The Cabinet acted despite the ongoing Qassam rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza. So Israelis are to die for the sake of the government’s public relations? It’s gotten so bad — and Israel is perceived as so weak — that the Israelis are appealing to convicted terrorist Marwan Barghouti, now serving five life sentences, to help broker a cease-fire. This is like asking “comedian” Michael Richards for advice on how to combat racist language.

Instead of retaliation, we get weakness from Israel’s prime minister, Ehud Olmert: “We must act responsibly and wisely, while considering all aspects of the matter.” Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni adds, the “situation is sensitive and we must act wisely and with serious consideration.” That kind of rhetoric is unlikely to strike fear in the hearts of terrorists whose only “serious consideration” is to seriously destroy Israel and America.

Has everyone forgotten what the world looked like when America — and Israel — was feared? Have the foreign policy castrati taken over? Does no one sing baritone anymore? The terrorists in Iraq, and among us, use fear as a primary tactic. We form study groups and issue statements saying we must “act wisely.” Iraq’s dictator Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vows to obliterate Israel, and American diplomats recommend we talk to him.

Whatever happened to “if you touch us, it will be the last thing you touch”? Ah, but that was before political correctness and sensitivity training. Now, the only thing the thugs have to fear is fear itself. They certainly don’t fear us.

And that’s my “memo.”