Foreign fighters, poured into Iraq and fanned the flames of discontent to the Sunni minority who were just booted out of power. After a massive wave of suicide bombings, mass kidnappings, murders, shelling, torture, etc, the Shiite majority finally responded by giving a little payback. This lead to a low intensity civil war that was about to spiral out of control.

We responded by increasing troop levels to separate the two sides and by reaching out to Sunni areas which were beginning to feel the full effects of living under Al-Qaida inspired fanaticism. Most of the Sunni population responded by throwing off the fanatics' yoke and with our help are pushing them farther to the fringes of Iraq. All the while, the Iraqi security forces are beginning to come into their own. Increasing numbers, improved training, morale, and infrastructure are allowing the central government to become increasingly effective.

Now that the violence has been greatly reduced and the fanatics are on the run, cooler heads are prevailing and reconciliation is beginning among the various groups at the local level. This peace is still shakey and fragile, but it is improving. This is why we are needed in Iraq. To act as a stablizing force until Iraqi society gels and solidifies.

To say Iraq is a waste of time is like saying Bosnia, Kosovo, and Lebanon are a waste of time.