Although the Iraq situation is generally the biggest FUBAR'd situation for the U.S. since Viet Nam, I do think we have done a few things right.  Take for example, our guidance on the constitutional principles that the Constitutional Assembly is supposed to be using to guide its drafting of the new Iraqi constitution.  What the Iraqis came up with based on this guidance sounds like it is a very good start:

1. the principle of the republican system
2. the principle of Democracy
3. the principle of federalism and decentralization of governance
4. the principle of Islam being the official religion of Iraq and a source of legislation
5. the principle of equality in rights and freedoms
6. the principle of the separation of the three powers and the independence of judges
7. the principle of peacefulness in international relationships and the rejection of violence and terrorism
8. the principle of the unity of Iraq’s people and land
9. the principle of civilian power over military
10. the principle of Iraq’s independence and sovereignty
11. the principle of natural resources being owned by the people
12. the principle of acknowledging that Iraq is a multi-ethnic, mulit-religious country
13. the principle of the family forming the forming unit of society
14. the constitution and the law is above all
15. the role of civil society organizations in monitoring the work of governmental institutions.
16. for the articulation of paragraphs 3 and 4 what has been stated in the Iraqi Transitional Law should be observed

Let's hope these lofty and well-crafted goals do not sink under the weight of our endless mistakes in Iraq.