[4] As documented by FAIR, Friedman had been making such six-month predictions for a period of two and a half years, on at least fourteen different occasions, starting with a column in the November 30, 2003, edition of The New York Times, in which he stated: "The next six months in Iraq—which will determine the prospects for democracy-building there—are the most important six months in U.S. foreign policy in a long, long time.
"[5] In tribute to Friedman's recurring prognostications, blogger Duncan Black (Atrios) coined the eponymous unit.
Ambassador to Iraq, had said in June 2005 that "the next nine months are critical", now interpreted as predicting that in 1.5 Friedman units the U.S. might have a better grasp on the situation.
"[2][8] However, in July, 2008, he again called for a delay in Barack Obama's plan to withdraw troops from Iraq, in effect adopting John McCain's position.
Either we commit the resources to entirely rebuild the place over a decade, for which there is little support, or we tell everyone that we will be out within 10 months, or sooner, and we'll deal with the consequences from afar.