The Score Card in Iraq

Rumsfield said that these are our objectives in Iraq. Let me take them point by point and see how we have done so far.

# "to end the regime of Saddam Hussein by striking with force on a scope and scale that makes clear to Iraqis that he and his regime are finished."

We still have a few dead enders who seem to have avoided the message. Saddam is in jail. That is a definite improvement.

# "to identify, isolate and eventually eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems, production capabilities, and distribution networks."

Well, as far as we can tell the WMDs are gone. Their delivery system (which he definitely had) have been collected. The production capabilities including the scientists responsible have either been collected or scattered. The scattering is not so good. Still Saddam is not going to revive the programs. That is a plus. If nothing else we have gained some time.

# "to search for, capture, drive out terrorists who have found safe harbor in Iraq."

The hits just keep on coming on this one. Iraq keeps attracting the terorists. It is not a safe haven. I'd say a pretty good effort so far.

# "to collect such intelligence as we can find related to terrorist networks in Iraq and beyond."

Yep. This is working. Slowly, but working.

# "to collect such intelligence as we can find related to the global network of illicit weapons of mass destruction activity."

Jackpot. Libya and Pakistani networks rolled up. Probably more to come. Very big plus.

# "to end sanctions and to immediately deliver humanitarian relief, food and medicine to the displaced and to the many needy Iraqi citizens."

Done deal. Very big plus.

# "to secure Iraq's oil fields and resources, which belong to the Iraqi people, and which they will need to develop their country after decades of neglect by the Iraqi regime."

Oil secured. Neglect being reversed.

# "to help the Iraqi people create the conditions for a rapid transition to a representative self-government that is not a threat to its neighbors and is committed to ensuring the territorial integrity of that country."

Rapid? I dunno. I'd say under two years is pretty rapid compared to the aftermath of WW2. And Iraq is still in one piece.

Less than two years on and progress or completion on all goals. I'm voting for Bush. For sure. I'd like to see the results two years on in Iran.


Hat tip Just One Minute