Rory Stewart, an experienced British development worker, served in the coalition provincial administration of Iraq for a time. Here is his perspective on the state of affairs there. Significantly, he thinks the MNF's presence is "not improving things," because it provides focus and cover for insurgent activities and indirectly hinders the development of genuine political solutions. He reminds readers that whatever government eventually emerges in Iraq, "it will be Islamist and authoritarian," since the U.S.-led debacle has convinced many ordinary Iraqis that any attempt at democracy will be a disaster.