Still, there is a big difference between an Iraq that struggles and one that implodes; between an Iraq that contributes to global energy security rather than undermining it; between a civil war and a regional war. It may be too late for the US to succeed in Iraq, but it is not too late for others to increase the odds that the US does not fail.
现实是，即使采取了这些措施和其他类似的措施也无法保证伊拉克的未来。然而，伊拉克苦苦挣扎和内爆、为全球能源安全作出贡献而不是予以破坏以及内战和地区性战争之间还是有天壤之别。美国在伊拉克获得成功可能为时已晚，但是，其他国家增加美国并不失败的机率还是尚有时机。