President George W. Bush and his war council sat in a nondescript building on al-Asad air base in Anbar province on Monday waiting for Jalal Talabani, Iraqi president, to arrive for a crucial meeting on Iraq’s future.

When Mr Talabani walked in 15 minutes late, Mr Bush greeted him by saying “Mr President, the president of the whole country”, before the two leaders exchanged the customary three kisses.