I think iraq is a stepping stone. But first things first. Iraq must be dealt with first. Making a dent in the poverty of "other" countries is a waste of time, IMHO, unless Iraq is stabilized and democratized, and those "other" country's governments are either a.) going to be reformed, or b.) changed.
Oh absolutely govs need to be changed whenever possible but with the quick dynamics of terrorism we shouldnt wait too long to get marshal 2 on the road.