In the confidential memo obtained by the BBC, William Patey, Britain’s top civil servant in Baghdad until last week, wrote that “the prospect of a low intensity civil war and a de facto division of Iraq is probably more likely at this stage than a successful and substantial transition to a stable democracy.”

“Even the lowered expectation of President Bush for Iraq — a government that can sustain itself, defend itself and govern itself and is an ally in the war on terror — must remain in doubt,” Patey said, adding that “the position is not hopeless” and the “next six months are crucial” although Iraq would be “messy and difficult” for the next five to 10 years. ~The Washington Post

Mr. Bush’s policy has failed.  If securing a united, democratic Iraq is the goal, which is what he has said the goal is, his war is failing and is dragging the country down with it.  If Iraq is headed for civil war and effective partition, this will be a problem for the region, but it does not seem to be one that America will be able to prevent.  Why we should continue to endanger our soldiers in pursuit of chimerical Iraqi democracy at this late date is a mystery.