Thanks, as always, for a good conversation. In my own defense, I’ll conclude:

I don’t think “pristine” is possible in any aspect of Iraq. My point was that we did not have to participate in forcing the sectarian elements into the Constitution.

If you don’t think there is a connection between the impulse to force Islamism into Constitution and the Islamism that is behind the current violence, nothing more I can say would make a difference on that score.

The Bush Doctrine is a national security doctrine. If I were convinced that the U.S. would be safer by abandoning it, I would have no choice but to abandon it. If someone makes the case that the national security of the U.S. hinges on having the UAE work the ports, I would have to tolerate their stance on Israel. I rather doubt anyone can make that case, but I’ve been wrong before.