[kevkrom]

in all three cases, Japan, Germany and South Korea, we established a democratic government after subduing a militant global threat. Iraq is proving to be messy

The biggest difference in Iraq as compared to the others is that the other cases each involved a society that was primarily one ethnicity. In Iraq, not only do you have different ethnic groups, but even within the same ethnic group, you have dominant and aggressive rival religios sects.

This isn't to say that it can't be done, of course. It's just pointing out that it will likely be more difficult.

[ThirstyMan]

In Iraq, not only do you have different ethnic groups, but even within the same ethnic group, you have dominant and aggressive rival religios sects.

This is information that an enlightened press would be presenting for perspective and balance in the difficulties we (and the Iraqi people) are having reigning in these warring factions with their power craving despots.

But N-o-o-o-o! the press is so anti US that it publishes every skirmish as a sure sign of ultimate mission failure.