In Vietnam, failure can be traced to not understanding the attitude and history of the VC. Fighting was second nature to them. So many people had already died in all of Asia during the world war and Korea - what were a few more sacrifices? They had more stomach for war than we did.

Now I think the genuises at the CIA etc. have again completely misunderstood the real historical and world situation. The Iraqis may NEED a ruthless thug to run them The people seem very hot tempered and not at all circumspect. And they are just as trapped in nutty illusions as we are.

I imagine the geniuses who plan these things read too much Tom Clancy. They occupy a stupid fantasy land, and let the things they imagine are true determine real policy.