Right so far, but to clarify one point:
There were two post-9/11 wars in Iraq.
1. Eliminate the Saddam regime. This was achieved (”Mission Accomplished”) in 3 days flat, eviscerating the power infrastructure with terrifying efficiency & speed.
2. Fill the power vacuum. Seems nobody seriously considered that once the regime was torn out, a gaping hole remained and required filling ASAP; failing to install a new & viable government within days...weeks...months...years, every “power by any means necessary” would-be tyrant et al jumped in to take advantage of the situation, leaving an infestation requiring block-by-block boots-on-the-ground exterminators ... until the Obama decided he actually liked the infestation and pulled out so they could take over as they saw fit.
This and post 57 are right interesting.