“What I meant by “successful conclusion” was that at the close of President Bush’s administration, Iraq was in pretty good shape. It will take a very long time - probably generations - to actually change the culture so that representative democracy takes true root. But it’s not impossible.”
They have to get rid of Islam first. Islam tends to theocracy. Everywhere. Every time. Even Turkey is headed that way after a history of rigorous removal of Islam from the public square.
I think it would be quite challenging to “get rid of Islam” in Iraq. Our best practical hope is for a secular government along the lines of Ataturk’s Turkey - which, as you said, is now going Islamist.
This struggle - between Islam and civilization - has been going on for 1400 years. At least President Bush brought the fight to the enemy, instead of playing defense and treating it as a “law enforcement problem.”