Rebuilding Iraq a costly American burden

By DONALD HEPBURN
GUEST COLUMNIST

TAPPAN, N.Y. -- In 1991, America's so-called Operation Tin Cup got enough money from its allies to cover the costs of the first Persian Gulf War.

In contrast, what could be called "Operation Begging Bowl" after the latest war in Iraq has come up empty, leaving us stuck with the bill for the invasion and occupation -- the full extent of which is only now becoming apparent.

The Bush administration's recent willingness to consider a greater United Nations role on the ground is the first sign that it is aware of how vastly mistaken its assertions about the occupation were.

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