well well well, that didn't take as long as i thought it would. hm, changing plans, and admitting to it up front, is something of a stoid.

Baaths Take Bath By Bill O'Brien

U.S. troops will remain in place and allied officials will remain in charge, thereby delaying Iraqi self-rule for the time being. The allied rationale, according to the NYT¸ is that an interim government would not have the strength and resources to rule effectively at present—and that it's failure would tarnish the allied victory.