America and Iraq: Failed romance?

As the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war rolled around, a number of mea culpas rang out from the media.

Five of Slate's writers confessed how they got things wrong. A failure to consider security, a false estimation of sectarian tensions and too much trust in Colin Powell all made the grade.

But one writer has no such qualms. Here's the irrepressible Christopher Hitchens on why he was right.

A much-wanted war criminal was put on public trial. The Kurdish and Shiite majority was rescued from the ever-present threat of a renewed genocide. A huge, hideous military and party apparatus, directed at internal repression and external aggression was (perhaps overhastily) dismantled. The largest wetlands in the region, habitat of the historic Marsh Arabs, have been largely recuperated. Huge fresh oilfields have been found, including in formerly oil free Sunni provinces, and some important initial investment in them made. Elections have been held.

And for those who think a little light relief is in order, check out Vanity Fair's take on the ill-fated romance between American and Iraq.

Hey, America, have I got the country for you. She’s extremely hot, fascinatingly complex, and oozes gallons of energy. One word of warning, though: she’s a bit high-maintenance

Humorous save for one note of foreboding:

Wait—I know someone else available, lives right next to her, similar personality … almost the same name! I’m sure you’ve learned your lesson and can handle it better this time. Interested?

Alice Fishburn