We won the war that the American people authorized in Iraq. Sadaam was deposed and we made certain that there were no weapons of mass destruction or development programs in Iraq. Mission accomplished just as the President declared.

 

The next phase of the Iraqi conflict had already begun when the President made his declaration of victory.  We all saw the looting that when on primarily in Bagdad after the fall of the Sadaam regime. This looting was fueled by the frustration and suppression of the Shia population. In general, it was aimed at the facilities and institutions dominated by the Sunni population. Not surprisingly, the US military was not prepared to handle this event and the civilian institutions responsible for maintaining order were not functioning for a variety of reasons. It was very similar to the race riots that we had in our own country in the 1960’s and early 70’s. And like them the rioting did not last long. However the damage was done.

 

I theorize that the Washington response was driven by the President and the Vice President’s embarrassment when confronted by the Sunni leaders of Arabia. Their attempts to salvage their position with these leaders lead to the biggest mistake by the Administration. They fired the individual responsible for the initial planning and execution of the transition, Gen ??, and replaced him with Mr Brennan?. Mr Brennan then took two critical steps that almost guaranteed the present situation in Iraq. He disbanded the military and he shutdown and disbanded the Ministry of the Interior. All police in Iraq where employees of the Ministry of the Interior. Overnight all civilian and military police organizations ceased to exist or to have any authority. We did not take either of these actions in Germany after our victory in WWII.