re: ". . . to create a secularized, liberated, cosmopolitan society in a core Arab nation."
Agreed.
"Iraqis can tell us to take hike, as soon as they have an elected government which says so." I think that's evident to most people, that Americans WILL LEAVE as soon as the Iraqis have an elected government. I don't think Americans will be waiting around to be told to leave.
I have to bring the Kurds up again, because in many ways, they seem to be forgotten. They have established a Democratic system that is working and because of that they seem to have found unity and an honest appreciation of/for peace.