"Mission Still Not Accomplished"

An editorial in the New York Times marking the fifth anniversary of the start of the disastrous war in Iraq reminds us how little has been accomplished in a time span surpassing U.S. involvement in World War II. Indeed, the primary, albeit dubious, achievements include further destabilization of the region, displacement of more than 20 percent of the population, the deaths of tens of thousands of Iraqis, and the deaths of nearly 4,000 Americans. Our failure in this illegal conflict, punctuated by human rights abuses, has so eroded U.S. credibility abroad that the nation may never recover its prewar status. Vice President Dick Cheney, visiting Iraq this week, declared that the mission in Iraq was "well worth the effort." His behavior, juxtaposed with Bush's remarks yesterday, underscore the dangers associated with formulating policy based on ignorance, stupidity, and unadulterated arrogance.

There can be little doubt that history will regard the Bush administration as a dismal failure. Whether or not it marks a watershed event in U.S. history, heralding that moment of national decline, remains to be seen. Regardless of who wins the presidential race in November, our next Chief Executive can expect to inherit a morass that will define the character and agenda of his or her administration for years.