If you want to transform Iraq, you need help from others, as the administration is belatedly learning.

This move was widely criticized as running directly counter to the Bush administration's announced goal of helping transform Iraq into a modern, democratic state.

In Harrison's view, the plans to quickly transform postwar Iraq into another Germany or Japan are unrealistic.

Before we set about transforming Iraq, let's transform Afghanistan.

Quite the contrary, they maintained that the surge had transformed Iraq from a liability to a clear net benefit.

The French government has done all it could to ensure that the U.S. effort to transform Iraq would fail.

"No one will gain anything by transforming Iraq into a battleground for regional and international conflicts and tensions."

It might also make Americans more willing to support the long-term commitment that will be needed to transform Iraq into a modern, democratic and prosperous state.

But, Mr. Schmitt said, "I think he would say we should not be in the business of transforming Iraq."

The question of whether the Americans can transform Iraq is asked with increasing frequency.