His fatal error was over-concern with political correctness, and also trying to reform the military during wartime. Rumsfeld brought insufficient force and lacked the brutality and ruthlessness we saw in WWII. There was way too much concern over the "Arab Street" and civilian casualties. Yes I know that we didn't face such an empowered Left during WWII, and reporters for the most part were patriotic then compared to the outright traitors now. But the U.S. had carte blanche after 9/11, and Rumsfeld simply did not use that opportunity to get the job done with the massive, merciless force which was required.
I agree. The Afgan campaign went quickly, Iraq too was brilliant at the start.
There was way too much concern over the "Arab Street" and civilian casualties, and ther still is.
They celebrated 9 11.
It was never our intention to defeat the enemy in a matter of weeks.
We wanted Iraq to serve as the sandbox for the enemy to come and play with us in.
Iraq is the enemy's quagmire and Rummy is nothing short of a genius.
Read "Imperial Grunts." You'll rethink your assessment.