The Times: We're fighting for what, exactly?

The New York Times explains quite well the mess in Iraq:

Americans continue dying in Iraq, but their mission creeps steadily downward. The nonexistent weapons of mass destruction dropped out of the picture long ago. Now the United States seems ready to walk away from its fine words about helping the Iraqis create a beacon of freedom, harmony and democracy for the Middle East. All that remains to be seen is whether the White House has become so desperate for an excuse to declare victory that it will settle for an Iranian-style Shiite theocracy.

The only false note is that it no longer remains to be seen what Bush will settle for. The Iraqi people will decide if they want an Iranian-style theocracy. Bush has already voted "yes."