"They may be destroying their own infrastructure, but they show incredible determination and inventiveness while doing so."

Samizdata's Man in Basra has some thoughts on the Idealist and Realist approach to Iraqi governance, and notes that the Idealists are generally Americans who don't deal day-to-day with actual Iraqis, while Realism is intrinsically, if unintentionally racist. I'd further extend that by noting that active racism is often found in folks that have direct, abrasive contact with the subjects of said racism. Racism is a type of prejudice, and prejudice is often stronger and more assertive when it's been fed a steady diet of anecdote and selective, albeit real, experience.