“and it turns out that the 4 stars who complained”
I’m still waiting on your list of ‘large number of experienced 4 stars have also criticized this government for not having a strategy in Iraq’.
Let's see, for a start: Zinni, Hoare, Powell, Shinseki, Newbold (3 Star), Sanchez (3 star) Van Ripper (3 stars), Riggs (3 Star). I won't bother with Clark, whose credibility is brought into question by his clear political biases.
The criticism had pretty universally been insufficient ground troops to do the job. Turned out they were right.