Reflections on Iraq War

March 20 marked the 10th anniversary of the United States invasion of Iraq. From this perspective in time, it is possible to reach the conclusion that on balance it should not have been fought.

In monetary terms the war cost the United States over $800 billion. Our armed forces suffered 4,488 deaths and 32,221 wounded. On the Iraq side, two million people fled the country, another two million were displaced within the country, and at least 100,000 were killed.

A positive aspect of our invasion of Iraq was the removal of the tyrant Saddam Hussein from power. However, there were a number of negative consequences.

The primary justification for the war was the allegation that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. In the event, this proved to be a monumental intelligence failure. It was also claimed in some quarters that Iraq had links to al-Qaida. However, this also proved to be false. The occupation of Iraq led to post-invasion insurgencies along with the inflow of jihadis to fight against us and participate in an Iraqi civil war.

Iraq's present Shiite Prime Minister Maliki now runs a staunchly authoritarian state which has pro-Iranian sympathies. For example, he is the only Arab leader who hasn't called upon Syrian President Assad to resign. Additionally, al-Qaida continues to be active and supported by radical elements in the Sunni minority.

Before we start another war, let's hope we use better judgment than we did in 2003.

JOHN PIEPHO, Cape Girardeau