Richard Clarke and Zinni are two completely different animals. Clarke is not very credible and there is plenty of proof about his attempts to 'revise' history. I know of know similarities to Zinni.
The following is a very good article with good insight.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/05/21/60minutes/main618896.shtml
Can anyone answer this?
"...going out of our way to alienate European countries who could have helped with the rebuilding..."
Since Newbold isn't here to flesh this out for me and you specifically noted this part of his assertions, maybe you can answer.
Since what really alienated Europe was our going into Iraq at all, how could we have not alienated them so they would be helping more now?