In reply to Andy Say:
> We needn't have gone to war.
> The premise upon which we did was flawed.
> There was little thought given to what happened 'after'.
> Our forces were poorly equipped and prepared and got a good kicking.
Good summary. Everbody seems to be focusing on the first two aspects, but even if we had had UN backing and WMD's had been found it would still have been a complete balls up because of the last two points. Similarly, if it hadn't been for the last two points (i.e. if our forces were well equipped and established a stable and prosperous country in the aftermath), nobody would be all that bothered about the first two points.
INMHO the management of the armed forces (US & UK) needs to be completely overhauled, because they really messed up, both in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Contrast the mess that these two countries are in compared to the rebuilding of Europe after WWII. I have always been impressed with the planning and 'managment' of Europe and beyond after WWII, it shows what can be done and what should have been done in Iraq. It's no good winning the war, you need to win the peace as well..........