What mistakes did the US government make in Iraq?

Question

Wondering what his supporters might say, because I pretty much know the antiwar argument side of things.
And don't be all "we're holding the troops back, and not letting them fight" cause that's nonsense.

Answer 1

They invaded it..Their biggest mistake.

Answer 2

Obviously the really big mistake was going in in the first place but since we did we should have
1. Sealed the borders 100%
2. Declared Marshall law prohibiting unfettered movement around the country for the first 90 days easing restrictions gradually after that. .
3. By going house to house we should have confiscated and destroyed any and all weapons and explosives.
4. Set up a multi-lateral government of the various religions and factions each with a stake in the successful formation of a new government.
5. Offered very large rewards and sanctuary for any information leading to the capture of Terrorist.

These are my personal favorites

Answer 3

There was an article in the NY Times by a former general explaining how the 3 different groups in Iraq the Sunni, Shia, and Kurd would never ever agree to a government because of historical differences and hatred that has lasted generations. This is fact, not liberal propoganda for the Times or any of that crap. The admin. failed to realize that they would all disagree

Answer 4

Going in was a mistake to begin with but that said...
Invaded too early - should have prepared better
Invaded with not enough troops and rather ill-equipped
Did not secure the country after slaughtering the Iraqi army - Not enough troops to hold the land
Disbanded what was left of the Iraqi army
Squandered billions of dollars
Using soldiers for the wrong reasons-- their mission isn't really to occupy countries and be policement.
No exit strategy

Thinking we could bring democracy and peace to a land that has been in conflict for at least 1/2 a millenium.

Answer 5

Putting Saddam Hussein in power at the first place and enforcing sanction that made iraqis depended on Saddam's regime for food.

Answer 6

1. Dissolved the military. Thousands of Iraqis with guns and suddenly no jobs.

2. Did not prevent looting. Sectarian hatred boils through the roof.

3. Tried to go it alone. The insurgents see this as the US against Islam. A multinational face would have prevented that.

4. Not getting out. This mistake is made every minute of every day.

Answer 7

Underestimating the pervasiveness of the Baathist party

Disregarding the Iraqi army afterward.

Not going in with the numbers originally suggested.

Answer 8

Sending troops there in the first place.

The "war on terror" and the Al Quaeda attacks on 9/11 should be handled as a spy/intelligence matter, not a military matter. We should make good use of agencies like the CIA and do good spy work, instead of charging our troops and tanks and bombs into countries.

You don't use a sledgehammer on a job that requires a pair of tweezers.

Answer 9

Not takin out that Iran sponsored nut, Al Sadir, not putting enough men, and not sealing off the border with Iran.

Answer 10

Expecting that the different religious groups in Iraq would be able to work out their differences and work together for the betterment of their country.

Answer 11

What mistakes? You mean like the mistake of even going there in the first place? That mistake? Yeah, that was the biggest mistake ever and led to tons of other mistakes. The daddy of all mistakes.