Thomas L. Friedman:

When it comes to the Middle East, the whole issue of democratization and better governance simply is not part of the debate over the future. To the extent that it is, it is used as a tool to beat up on enemies, not a supreme value to be promoted for everyone.

Meanwhile, Anthony Shadid writes how U.S. plans for a post-war Iraq are alienating our supporters, because it's colonialism to them.