I said in a post somewhere that the ideal solution for Iraq would give 3 things.

1. Democracy
2. Stability
3. A pro-American alignment

I then said that an optimistic but realistic assessment would result in 2 of the 3 (pick which 2), but that there was scope for it to slide further, and make even that an impossible task. So where are we? Is it still possible to achieve 2 out of 3?

FWIW, my preference was for 2 and 3, ditching democracy and placing an obedient strongman in charge. Of course, there were those who said this was outrageous, to even think of turning back the clock.