Wrong. The #1 problem is that we, as a nation, tend to value "being nice" over "doing what's right." It affects us everywhere, not just in foreign policy.
A second major problem is that we as a nation are too impatient, too busy, and often too lazy, to learn the facts, and to shoulder responsibilities ourselves ... it's much easier to let activists and professional politicians do all of the heavy lifting. And then we complain when the screw up yet again.
The situation in Iraq may not winnable. We have a group of bureaucrats sitting a table dictating the rules of engagement and the rules of war which our troops must follow, or there will be hack to pay. The opposing force has no rules..they do what they please. If you see a mad dog in your front yard as a danger to your children, you kill it. Or do want to talk with it.