Folks..if i may without causing offense, but in my opinion US is largely a society on a major 'macho trip'. It's fascination with 'shock and awe' border sometimes on the puerile. Much of it's establishment before moving into Iraq was unable to see beyond S&A. That was the fundamental problem, consequences be damned. The best option would have been to look into other examples around the world that led to regime change.
IMO the best example was 1971, when India fought 2 and a half weeks to bring about a regime change in E. Pakistan. India fought against world opinion and prepared to defend itself along 5 different tactical fronts in the subcontinent. It went in with the explicit understanding not to destroy civil institutions during the war, it went in specifically with the intention not to stick in their over a few brief months. It handed power, made sure people were back to work. And scooted.
US did'nt prepare the scoot scenario. They came in with a mindset of staying there for a few years. IMO they should have appointed a milder 'dictator' who'd have made "Musharaffesque' type promises of bringing in democracy. Left him and his team to do the rest of the dirty work and started pulling out. IF this was plan B, then there should have been a plan C, D to be on the safe side.
It's apparent US basking in it's macho 'shock and awe' power plan never even took into account a Plan B. Let alone plan C. Thus the soup it finds itself in at present. Possibly thats what happens when Hollywood hype starts being taken a little too seriously.
I hope my American friends take this critically and not in an offensive way. Thanks.
