Weighting in the pros and cons of the situation, is Iraq better off CURRENTLY, than it was before the war?

Question

No future considerations
Pros would include, no Saddam, Kurds aren't being gassed
Cons would be, US deaths, death squads

after weighting in the pros and cons, is Iraq off today, better off that we invaded?

Answer 1

Better off is a subjective term. Obviously there are winners and losers in the war. The main losers were Sadaam Hussein, the Baath Party, and the Iraqi army. This wouldn't matter much except that they appear determined to undermine any progress. The main winners were the Shias, the Kurds, Iran, Syria, and debatably Al-Queda. There are other arguments, specifically freedom and democracy, but these are both undermined by the newfound islamism and the deteriorating security situation. So is Iraq better off? Well that depends who you ask.

Answer 2

I'd say other nations are, Iraq's not. As you mentioned, Kurds etc. aren't suffering anymore at the hands of this country and it's dictator.