A New Standard for Success in Iraq Posted by Ilan Goldenberg

So I saw Ken Adelman today at a panel at the Center for American Progress (Yes Ken Adelman actually stepped inside CAP).

At one point the moderator asked him about what a new Iraqi government should look like and what he would consider a positive outcome.  I thought this was pretty interesting.  What does one of the original proponents of the war now think about realistic outcomes?

Adelman's answer left me a little stunned, a little outraged but mostly just sad.

Basically, he explained that when he first supported the war he viewed the establishment of a government similar to that of the Philippines or South Korea to be a positive outcome.  They aren't perfect democracies but they're pretty good.

By 2004 he decided that an outcome like Jordan was the best we could hope for.  By 2005 his standard had become Egypt.  And Now?  Wait for it...  Wait for it...

Syria!!!

Yes ladies and gentlemen.  The Neocon democratization plan for the Middle East.  Replace oppressive Baathist dictatorship with slightly less oppressive Baathist dictatorships.

At this rate by 2008 we'll be hoping Iraq turns out like Chechnya.  And by 2009 we'll settle on the ultimate solution.  Afghanistan...

Comments

[Cal]

Basically, he explained that when he first supported the war he viewed the establishment of a government similar to that of the Philippines or South Korea to be a positive outcome.

Hey, this could still happen! The Philippines had various forms of dictatorship for over 80 years after our initial occupation, and South Korea took 50 years to become a democracy. The "power of our ideals" can still triumph!

I would have loved to have seen Adelman try and sell this vision before the war: a 50 year cakewalk.

[Don Bacon]

A fine example of American "exemplarism" run amok. Most of us don't try to convert other people to a 'better way of life', why do some advocate it on a national level? It just brings out the weirdos like Adelman, Feith, Cheney, Rumsfeld, etc. and it never results in any improvement.

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[jake]

Ken Adelman is just a bufoon. I don't care if you are of the right or left politically - the man is an opportunistic idiot.

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