The primary mistake Bush made was attempting nation building in a third world hell hole. We should have made it our mission to take out Hussein's regime, rebuilt nothing and left. And then used that as an example to other countries like Iran what would happen if they screw with us.
Yes, you are correct there. We should have left the compassion at home and just brought the destruction. But that is no longer the world we live in.
Iraq was under control. Obamas total troop withdrawal for political purposes gave birth to ISIS and live head cutting.
Interesting history, although revisionist. I recall “WMD”. Anyway, it Totally destabilized the Middle East and like Trump, I was totally against the deaths of 5000 American warriors and 2 TRILLION dollars of printed money for absolutely nothing and no one held accountable. It cost the republicrats the presidency. But we move on to higher and better with Trump. God Bless America and the new Republican Party!!
>> There was plenty of justification to go after Hussein <<
As I recall, there were something like 13 reasons in the “Authorization for the Use of Force” against Sadam.
IIRC, only one or two of those reasons dealt with weapons of mass destruction. And the reasons were so compelling that Biden, Kerry and Madame Rodham voted for the authorization.
So yeah, “plenty of justification” is exactly correct. And I suspect that future, unbiased historians will understand the various justifications and thereby give GWB good marks. Just sorry that I’m too old to live that long!