Sad fact in the "war on terrorism" - the US was probably safer with Iraq under Saddam.
Once unified under an iron-fisted dictator, it is now a series of regions ruled by tribal or religious leaders – a breeding ground for terrorists from all across the Middle East.
Terrorists united by one cause, to strike Americans and America.
"You have to conclude that the war, so far, has made us substantially less safe,'' said Tuchman Mathews, with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Americans can be forgiven for doubting if the goals are still clear, and for worrying that overwhelming victory -- indeed, any victory -- is something we may never have.