...I think this is more about the execution of neoconservative foreign policy and philosophy than anything else. I don't think the issue is oil. Nor do I think this is personal revenge.

Neocons possess an extremely simple view of how the world works. They believe that might makes right and that with enough military power we can force feed American world views upon other nations. The subtle nuances of strategic alliances, culture differences and reconciling short term gains against our best long term national interests elude them. They offer the American public a powerful simplicity which can be very appealing to those who are too impatient to appreciate the complexity of human relations in the world today.

The point is that they truly believe this is how to save the world.

My point is that they are utterly wrong about this, which is why I opposed the Iraq war in the first place. Over the long term, our actions there run counter to our long term national interests, not just in the Middle East, but in the rest of the world as well. This was not the case with our invasion in Afghanistan.

Our falacious justification for war based upon non-existent WMDs have permanently stained our national credibility and diminished our political and socio-economic influence in the world - just note today's headline where Iran openly calls for Israel's destruction. They are able to do this with impunity because they know American political nfluence in the world community is at low eb. They also know we are tapped out militarily. And they see a strategic new partner in a Shiite dominated Iraq.

The world is much more complicated that the neocons can conceive. Unfortunately, the American people will be paying for their simple-minded world views for a very long time.