When GWB says it was a military decision, that is true. CentCom is responsible for all actions in Iraq. The POTUS vests CentCom with a very broad set of goals (liberate the Iraqi people, provide security for the new Iraqi government, etc) and it is up to CentCom to decide how to best carry this out. The Area Combatant Commanders, next to the president himself, are arguably the most powerful individuals in the world. Most media and general citizenry don't understand this.
the State Department and the CIA , not DoD have been calling the shots...
No, CentCom has been calling the shots. And he answers only to SecDef and POTUS. If anyone, CIA, State, anyone, wants to operate in his theatre, they better have his permission.
Thanks for a good laugh. I needed that.
DoD may be implementing the policy, but it is a policy that has the hands of State all over it. If this were in deed an total DoD show, then a Generalissimo would be in charge, not an ambassador