The irony is dependent on the unspoken assumption that the coalition forces, and the Islamist and Baathist fighters coming in from Syria and Iran, are identical as far as methods, motivations, and plans for Iraq's future go.

Since this assumption doesn't stand up under very close examination, the irony kind of falls a little flat.

Think about a looter breaking open the front door of a burning house, compared to a fireman doing the same thing to rescue the inhabitants. Just because they both happen to be breaking in the door is not really relevant to the larger picture.

I notice a lot of blurring of motives and goals in this kind of "comparison."