Here’s David Bernstein (George Mason Law) from the right-wing Volokh Conspiracy putting it clearly and directly:

“I did support the war to remove Saddam and provide a lesson to others in the Arab world what becomes of leaders who defy the U.S., try to acquire WMDs, etc….I was hopeful that those who suggested that the U.S. could establish democracy there were correct, but thought it likely wiser to simply divide the country in three, ensuring mainly that (1) the oil revenues were in the hands of a friendly government; and (2) the U.S. had bases from which it could project force if needed to Iran and Saudi Arabia.”

A few minor changes in emphasis and phrasing, and this could have come from Noam Chomsky. But it is much better coming from the right.