Thomas Friedman and Iraq

Thomas Friedman’s article (“Iraq on precipice of an irreversible sectarian calamity”) is a well-written statement of what we are facing in Iraq. But there are two points where he injected his own judgmental terms instead of remaining an impartial observer.
Friedman states that “Sunni Islamo-nihilists” are pursuing a goal of insecurity in Iraq. The term sounds like “Islamo-fascists” as used by some Conservative commentators. It would be more correct to note that both Sunni and Shiite forces (militias, army, police, tribes and religious groups) are pushing for sectarian nationalism, with each and all of them trying to create and impose a new Iraq according to their own beliefs.
Mr. Friedman also refers to our efforts to build a “Western-style, democratizing society.” Even an astute and knowledgeable observer such as Mr. Friedman still does not understand that we cannot impose our own values and organizational structures on Iraq or any other place in the Middle East. They must be allowed to develop their own governance systems and institutions.