Conservative, Republican blog Powerline offers this nuanced analysis of America’s wars:
But the future of Iraq doesn’t look at all bright now that the Americans are fading from the scene.
It’s unfortunate, but there’s nothing to be done. The Iraqi government wants us out, the American government wants to get out, and the Iraqi and American people are probably in accord with their respective governments. After six and a half years, these views are understandable, if misguided.
As our presence in Iraq decreases, or presence in Afghanistan grows. Iraq is a more important country than Afghanistan in just about every sense. It is also probably a more manageable one for us, especially now that we have finally gotten our strategy and tactics right. But from what I’ve heard, the Afghans are a more pleasant, more grateful lot, so at least there’s that.
No wonder they miss George W. Bush; a man who loved bombing Muslims to freedom (not that Barack Obama is much better).