Knowing what we know now, do you believe the Iraq war a mistake?

On Dec 14, 2011, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, President Obama proclaimed the Iraq war a success. He said we are leaving behind, “A sovereign, stable, and self-reliant Iraq”. It had been that way for over three years, since President Bush left office. Knowing the sacrifice of life, limb, and treasure that made Iraq so. Knowing that President Obama would completely abandon a sovereign and stable, but immature and vulnerable Iraq, to fend for its own. Knowing that the black flag of IS would fly over Fallujah, Mosul, Tikrit, and Ramadi, cities that are stained with the blood and body parts of Americans who sacrificed so much to make it sovereign and stable. Knowing that an American administration would declare those cities had no particular significance. Knowing that Islamic terrorist would be allowed free reign over half a dozen countries to butcher, rape, and enslave by the tens of thousands. Knowing that President Obama, instead of holding the security gained in Iraq, would unleash further insecurity by pulling support or attacking leaders in Egypt, Libya, Syria, and Yemen. Knowing that the terrorist threat would grow larger, more brutal, better funded, and control more land than before 9/11, all while an American President declared that the strategy is working. Knowing all this, how can any US president ever trust again that the sacrifices that he orders for the security of the nation, won’t be wasted by his successor?

No, they had been violating international law including the no fly zones. They had been using WMD on their own inhabitants - Kurds and Shia.
Unfortunately our initial successful assault strategy was not followed up well. Changing hearts and minds takes generations.

Absolutely not a mistake. The mistake was walking away and surrendering it after it had been won just as we did in Vietnam.

Who says we can't stay there forever? We did in Europe. And Japan. And Korea. Those turned out a helluva lot better and their value as trading partners and allies more than compensates for the cost.

Imagine what we might have done in the Middle East...