1. For one thing, there's no reason to criticize the Obama administration for "ending the war" when it has become painfully obvious now that the U.S. never should have invaded Iraq in the first place. The sad truth is that Iraq is a disaster today because Saddam Hussein was far more effective at dealing with radical Islamic extremists than that dope George W. Bush ever was.
2. The history of the U.S. role in Iraq just goes to show that nations like the U.S. with democratically elected governments are ill-equipped to wage colonial wars like this. Elected leaders change, and an affluent nation with the highest standard of living in the history of mankind doesn't have the attention span or the moral compass to support -- or even justify -- a long-term occupation halfway around the world.
Bush had excellent reasons for invading Iraq, which he stated at length.
He created a democracy in the Middle East. Not a shining democracy, but Iraq became a country where the people could self-determine and not be casually brutalized by Saddam’s gangsters. When Bush left office Iraq was the least worst country in the region (except for Israel of course).
The subsequent abandonment of Iraq is NOT a natural result of a rich country getting bored: it is the result of vile left-wing treachery. Just like Vietnam.
The fact that the American Left has a habit of betraying America’s allies is not something to reproach Bush with. The squalid know-nothings who voted for Obama - twice! - bear the shame for Iraq.
1. Saddam Hussein was more effective with the radicals because he trained most of them, paid suicide bomber bonuses, and bought them equipment. Most of the training was done at Salman Pak. They weren't going to hurt him because he gave them what they wanted.
2. Yes, we failed so badly in Germany, Japan, Philippines with that whole long-term occupation thing. Our problem is electing people who are willing to abandon other people. Character does count and anybody willing to kill a baby in a womb is willing to run from supporting Democracy in another country. Bush had purple fingers and girls in schools, Obama has Christian and children's heads on pikes. And everybody told him it would happen.