Reply #29: Yup. Easy to see how it got started.

[MGKrebs]

They always did have a contingency plan for Iraq, but when 9/11 landed in their lap they chose the path of "act tough", not necessarily because it was the best strategy, but because it had the best political aura. And that is a very difficult path to turn away from, which I suppose would dramatically de-value that option in the eyes of many who have to make these choices.

It is hard for me to contemplate any strategy of the insurgents beyond "get the foreigners out of our country". There may be more going on there, but until that one is dealt with, it's glare will overwhelm everything else.