And The Hits Just Keep On Coming

Analysts' Warnings of Iraq Chaos Detailed

This from the Washington Post:

Months before the invasion of Iraq, U.S. intelligence agencies predicted that it would be likely to spark violent sectarian divides and provide al-Qaeda with new opportunities in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a report released yesterday by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Analysts warned that war in Iraq also could provoke Iran to assert its regional influence and "probably would result in a surge of political Islam and increased funding for terrorist groups" in the Muslim world.

This was in January, 2003, months before Bush and his buddies invaded Iraq. But as we all know, once again intelligence was ignored or cherry picked to strengthen support for the war and occupation. In reading sections of the report, it seems that the administration used positive, albeit incorrect assessments as talking points to solidify their stance on Iraq such as the following:

...terrorist threats heightened by the invasion would probably decline within five years.

...oil revenue would greatly ease the rebuilding of Iraq's economy.

John D. Rockefeller IV (W.Va.), and three other Democratic panel members said: "The most chilling and prescient warning from the intelligence community prior to the war was that the American invasion would bring about instability in Iraq that would be exploited by Iran and al Qaeda terrorists."

Apparently, the "fight them there so we don't fight them here" theory only exacerbated the al-Qaeda problem. The invasion and current occupation "emboldened the enemy". But the Republicans would have you think the Democrats are to blame as so many of them regurgitate the usual talking points about Dems being weak on defense and the like.