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I liked your dissertation about the reasons for this massive revival of militant Islam even I disagree with some other things :)

About not CONNECTing THE DOTS AND REALIZing THE DANGER OF RADICAL ISLAM: somebody said it well, that Leftists don't even have a hindsight as 20/20. Perfect.

About reasons to go to Iraq, not Iran or Saudi Arabia. First, I disagree with your recollection about "everybody" being enthusiastic about Afghanistan. There was very strong opposition to it. Its later when they needed a platform to critique us for Iraq, they (very many of them) started saying (lying) that they were supportive to efforts in Afghanistan, but against actions in Iraq.

Choosing the next point was logical as well. Iraq was a known felon on parole. Brutal dictator in violation of truth agreements that suspended the Gulf War I, not actually ended it, bluffing or not, but very convincingly anyway about WMDs in a country the least religiously brainwashed... Who can be opposed to taking him out?

We underestimated cynicism of the Left and Europeans. It is only IF theory, but I am absolutely convinced, that IF we had a president Gore (or Clinton for that matter) who repeated ALL the actions of President Bush, we'd have no sizable opposition to this war.

When you go into the enemy territory, you need a base of operation. Iraq is the best STARTing place. If we wanted just to level the place, any would do: Saudi Arabia, Syria, whatever. But, if wanted to try to democratize, the Iraq was and still is our best chance. Far from being 100% chance, but the best.

I do agree with you of course, that from the point of moral clarity announcing Saudi Arabia as the enemy and giving all possible support to Iranian opposition would be the right thing to do. I share the disappointment that we don't do it.

In the second term perhaps?

We underestimated cynicism of the Left and Europeans. It is only IF theory, but I am absolutely convinced, that IF we had a president Gore (or Clinton for that matter) who repeated ALL the actions of President Bush, we'd have no sizable opposition to this war.

I agree. In addition, I submit that we should have kept Saddam in power to control radical Islam, and give him weopans to start a second war against Iran, and Saudi Arabia. As he get the thing raging, we could have easily come to his help without being blamed of a war against the holy sesspool called Mecca, and Medina!