I used to think I knew what neocon meant, even so far as to think I was one.
If I was, the Iraq debacle disabused me of the notion that western civ can be
exported with anything less than totally subjugating the intended recipient.
Other banners festooning the neocon guidon seem to come and go depending
on who is insulting whom. As you say, it's mostly useless now as a term of art.