I think you are correct. Some of us didn’t understand keeping Saddam in power at the time.
The second pass to take him out was a mistake.
We have no business “protecting human rights” and telling others how to run their own countries. Sad but true. It has never worked out. Unless we are committed to occupy, control and just flat take over it is a fool’s errand to try to “spread freedom and democracy for all”. Blech.
Looks to me he was a huge buffer for us to keep Iran in check and on the “carpet”. I agree with you a BIG, BIG mistake taking him out like Gadhafi who was no threat to us. Killary/Jezebel’s only accomplishment making total chaos in Libya and Benghazi-Gate is the hottest potato for Barry to be exposed. The falling of Syria will create similar chaos there, likewise most of the M.E. spun out of the Cairo speech !!!
Lesson learned: We have stayed put in Germany, Japan and Korea!!!