He is talking about the NeoCon foreign policy doctrine. McCarthy is a Realist/Pragmatist. And there exists a big conflict between the NeoCons and the Realists/Pragmatists.
As you read thru the article you notice those names, Wehmer, Kristol, Kagan, Rubin, they all are neocons.
The NHL might be playing in Hell this season, but I have to admit I agree with you.
Heh? What about Marc Levin ? Is he a neo-con? He argues that we are there because it is in our national interest. He says it is not in our interest to leave until we are reasonably sure these lands wont become bases against us. I agree with that.
If it were up to me, we would have installed Chalabi as President of Iraq in 2003 and we would stick in some Warlord confabulation to run what they can of Afghanistan , and go from there. Thats the way we used to do it. Totally pragmatic , realistic and in the national interest. (But I guess that doesent "look " good.)
There are few democracy project nation building types out there now with any power or influence, if there ever were. Its all clever cover for acting in the national interest, IMO. And with due deference to Bush, all that "democracy" talk was just so much BS (pablum for the masses).