ARTICLE: “Iraq Rebuilding Badly Hobbled, U.S. Report Finds: Problems From the Start; Understaffing, Infighting and Lack of Expertise Are Cited in Draft,” by James Glanz, New York Times 24 January 2006, p. A1.

ARTICLE: “Fear and Death Ensnare U.N.’s Soldiers in Haiti: Deepening Instability Forces a 4th Delay in National Voting,” by Ginger Thompson, New York Times, 24 January 2006, p. A1.

ARTICLE: “African Union Is Divided by a Sudanese Bid to Lead It: Should a president said to foment war become chairman?” by Marc Lacey, New York Times, 24 January 2006, p. A3.

The draft of the official USG report on Iraq-the-postwar is an exercise in honesty. Understaffed, under-trained, under-resourced, under-prioritized, under-authorized, under-coordinated, and under the gun—as a result.

One observer, Steve Ellis, a VP at Taxpayers for Common Sense, says the spending spree by involved U.S. agencies looked “like a spoils system between various agencies.” That’s what happens when you throw a load of money in front of a bunch of bureaucracies. That’s what happens when you have about two dozen contracting agents working the scene. You want serious spending done seriously? Create a dedicated department.

Ready to give up on this impossible task?

Check out how good the UN’s running the show on its own in Haiti. Check out how the African Union is policing Sudan’s genocide janjaweed.

Still believe an international or regional organization is going to do this work for us?