[MNJohnnie]

Not strategically however

Look at a map. Where is Iraq? Stategically he who holds Iraq holds the ME. You lever apart the two major baddies, Iran and Syria plus open up another axis of attack into Syria, Iran or Saudia Arabia as needed. Plus it gives you a chance to deal with the long term instablity caused by the Kurdish Nationalists in Turkey. Strategically going into Iraq was the only option open to the USA after Afganistan.

[MNJohnnie]

Hey my Babbeling Baghdad Buddy, you will like this one.

[TeddyIke]

Of course what you say is exactly correct when looking at from a strictly military objective stand point. But, when political realities are taken into account. I believe it was and has become a strategic blunder. In my mind anyway, the will of the American people was never going to up to the task of occupying and democratizing Iraq especially when we were encouraged to shop in support. I think Bush or his advisers rather made a blunder in this respect. Early, Americans were willing to make the commitment to go the extra mile (the Powell Doctrine) but they were afraid they wouldn't I believe and so we went light and now that the short comings of this strategy are apparent most Americans seem in no mood to let Bush the time needed for the corrections he is attempting now. Go knows I pray Bush can hold on but the mood is awfully sour out there.