Post-Saddam Iraq

The Washington Post provides some badly needed reporting on what the Bush administration plans for post-war Iraq. No wimpy power-sharing is envisaged, it is to be a full-on U.S. operation.

Once the shooting stops, a U.S. civilian administrator will take control. Talk about one tough to fill job. Maybe a certain bored ex-president who craves the limelight will apply. He'd certainly get the Baghdad McDonald's up and running in a fortnight.

The rest of the country may take a little longer. Former drug czar and Army general Barry McCaffrey estimates it'll take five years.