But remember that we should not focus on specific results, as if we are better qualified to make decisions that Iraqis should make. What we should focus on is process. As long as we promote rule of law, even bad decisions can be accepted if not corrected. We seek legitimacy for the evolving Iraqi government.
If we focus on results even if it undermines the process of rule of law, we provide an excuse for worse leaders to do what they want--no matter how awful and against our interests--law be damned.
If we're going to change the name of the war to reflect a new post-fighting mission, let's call it OIROL.
UPDATE: This is the attitude we need to change:
Far from bringing peace, the March 7 parliamentary elections could bring disputes over the results that could undo reconciliation efforts between Sunnis and Shiites, or worse, provoke a new wave of attacks.
"If they feel their rights have been robbed, it might lead to sectarian violence," Anbar province First Deputy Gov. Hikmat Jasim Zaidan, said of Sunnis in an interview in Ramadi, the region's capital.
"In the West, when your right is robbed, you go to the courts. But in Iraq, it's different — when your right is robbed, (you) resort to violence," he said.
We will need a presence in Iraq for many years or decades even after our agreement on keeping forces in Iraq requires us to leave. I assume we will negotiate something that keeps tens of thousands of US troops in Iraq for training, external defense while the Iraqis train and equip for that mission, assisting in ongoing operations against the smaller terrorism problem--and serving as a road block to resorting to violence to seek redress for grievances.
I don't care if they love each other. I care if they shoot each other to resolve their differences.
