Far be it to call Amir Taheri shallow in his knowledge of the Near East and careless in any critical observation he makes. There's a difference between stated intent - "Hell, I don't care if I win this ball game" - and practical reality - "The first and second innings were a little messy; even though we wanted this a shutout we're only down by one." I was more than a little bothered when I heard that Bush was tepid on the vital nature of ensuring Iraq's transition to nothing but democracy (a quote that turns out to be either false or irrelevant, as the White House has been firm and unmistakable in its opposition to Iraqi authoritarians-come-lately). That's quite different than thumbing my nose at every obstacle rearing its ugly head, especially when a success-proven administration has declared its determination.

Jay Garner's problem, as Taheri sees it, was less about the results of his work than the attitude precipitating them:

Jay Garner, the retired general who has just been replaced as the man in charge of building a new Iraq, had a favorite phrase: "I am open to all ideas!" He repeated it each time he talked to Iraqi political and social figures, and in addresses to the Iraqi people.

The general used the phrase as a sign of American goodwill. Little did he know that by doing so he was shooting himself in the foot, politically speaking.

[...]

The most dangerous thing for anyone dealing with the Arabs is to appear clueless, as did Garner. Arabs often impute to a partner or an adversary more than is the case. A partner who is perceived to know less than expected, is abandoned. And an adversary who is exposed as weaker than perceived would find it hard to regain respect let alone inspire awe.

Taheri offers advice for his inauguration Paul Bremer, not presumptious and immediate condemnation:

What should Bremer do?

He must start by telling the Iraqis that the U.S.-led Coalition does have a vision for Iraq. The impression most people have is that the U.S. is like a little boy who has just won a big teddy bear at a fair but does not quite know what to do with his prize.

President George W. Bush has already stated the U.S. vision for Iraq. He says he wants Iraq to become a model of democracy for Arabs, indeed for Muslims.

Bremer must make it clear that the U.S. intends to pursue that vision with the same determination that it conducted the war of liberation.

Taheri goes on - read it. His point is cogent: the results we want will show, troubles notwithstanding, from the right vision. Difficulties can be overcome; that's where I think Sullivan is, for whatever reason, playing politics. But nothing will come about without that vision.