Our mistake was to try to civilize an otherwise animalistic culture. Unless we are prepared to exercise dictatorial control over these people, any US presence is a waste of time. They will never become civilized. Ever.
Bush 41 should have done that as Stormin Norman suggested it was Powell that wussed out we had then in a rout and should have gone down Bagdad blvd and lay waste to the place about 25 years ago