War's major goals remain unachieved

By WARREN P. STROBEL and HANNAH ALLAMKnight Ridder NewspapersWASHINGTON -- Three years after the United States invaded Iraq in pursuit of a freer, more stable Middle East, the country's deepening ethnic conflict is spreading tension across Iraq's borders, fueling terrorism and nurturing gloom about the future.

President Bush cited Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction and ties to international terrorism -- neither of which turned out to exist -- when he ordered a pre-emptive war that began March 19, 2003. He predicted payoffs for the wider Middle East: spreading democracy, deterred enemies, more secure oil flows, a less hostile environment for Israel.

None of that has happened, at least not yet.

Instead, said officials and analysts in the United States, Arab countries, Israel and Europe, the invasion has produced a series of unintended consequences.

Militancy is on the rise. Terrorists are using Iraq as a training base and potential launch pad for attacks elsewhere, according to U.S. officials and documents. Democratic reform remains largely stymied.

more:http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/dfw/news/14137323.htm?source=rss&channel=dfw_news

My Pub friends have the SILENCE OF THE LAMBS as they are embarrassed as hell...and connot defend except for the weakest lamest of excuses

You mean there were other goals? Like OIL and saving Israel's ass?
:sarcasm:


I still don't think they ever intended to "spread democracy"

remember Candidate Bush in 2000 dais he would not engage in so-called nation building. I guess when God spoke to him he overruled that.