Critics on Iraq Policy Come Out of the Woodwork Too Late

Abstract

The ongoing crisis in Iraq and potential indictments of senior Bush administration officials highlight the failure of U.S. policy, according to Eland. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell's chief of staff, Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, has criticized the "Cheney-Rumsfeld cabal" for controlling U.S. foreign policy, yet his and Powell’s delayed dissent raises questions about their accountability. This critique, similar to others by ex-officials like Richard Clarke, has drawn public attention to the administration's missteps. However, critics like George Packer argue that even a more competent administration might not have succeeded in restructuring Iraq, as such nation-building efforts are inherently flawed. The article underscores that U.S. public support wanes when wars of choice result in prolonged conflict and casualties, suggesting that American leaders should reconsider their interventionist policies.