[immadashell]

I seem to recall when George W. Bush was putting together a coalition to put down the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, France declined to participate because of their thriving trade relationship (despite the sanctions in place at the time) with Iraq. Our armed forces had stabilized and pacified most of the region's tribal animosities through reason and negotiation. And then Barack Hussein (no apparent connection with Saddam) Obama snatched defeat from the jaws of victory creating the fertile environment that produced ISIS. Now it looks like we are going to have to do it all over again.

[Hugin]

I think you are misremembering. France did send an airborne brigade which participated in Desert Storm, advancing and holding down the far left flank of the attack. If you are referring to the aftermath, Bush 43 never intended to remove Saddam from power, because he and all his advisors feared a power vacuum that would be filled by Iran.

[Hugin]

Disregard my previous post, I misread which Bush. It’s late, time to go to bed.