Sigh. Yeah. On the flip side, we gave 'em a chance.

If it all goes south, we've at least added to the body of evidence that says these people are still not grown up enough to manage their own affairs, and have to be watched.

Nope, not occupied, these peoples don't seem to have yet developed the sense of self and reason that made sitting on the Germans and Japanese a worthwhile effort.

Time will tell, perhaps they will rise above our seemingly lowering expectations.

Of course, we probably expected too much - after all, what we think of as western democratic processes developed over centuries.

One of the great fallacies of the modern world's do-gooders of both sides of the spectrum is that a democratic polity can spring fully formed from the forehead of Zeus, so to speak.

Well put. I didn't want to convey any sense of "told ya so", just sadness that it might just be the same sort of bunch getting in.