but many the end the iraq war was a failure and a terrible mistake causing geopolitical chaos and humanitarian tragedy. millions of iraqis were displaced. at least 150,000 civilians died in addition to the almost 4,500 brave american soldiers. some argued that one could overlearn the lessons of iraq. sure. but my caution about a larger american intervention in syria or elsewhere derives not just from iraq. consider this the united states replaced the regime in iraq and gave the new one massive assistance for a decade. the result chaos and humanitarian tragedy. washington toppled the regime in libya but chose not to attempt nation building in that country. the result has been chaos and humanitarian tragedy. washington supported a
modernity, and tolerance and immune from any jihadi fervor. but in the end, the iraq war was a failure and a terrible mistake causing geopolitical chaos and humanitarian tragedy. millions of iraqis were displaced. at least 150,000 civilians died, in addition to the almost 4,500 brave american soldiers. some argue that one can overlearn the lessons of iraq. sure, but my caution about a larger american intervention in syria or elsewhere derives not just from iraq. consider this. the united states replaced the regime in iraq and gave the new one massive assistance for a decade. the result, chaos and humanitarian tragedy. washington toppled the regime in libya, but chose not to attempt nation building in that country. the result has been chaos and humanitarian tragedy. washington supported a