Back in the days when he could say what he thought about things, Obama called the Iraq war a "dumb war". Yesterday he was trying to find things to say to make is sound like a success.
From an American point of view, the war was sold on the supposed threat Saddam presented, his supposed links to terrorism and the idea that he was "evil". It was a necessary war to be fought in America's national interest. Today nobody can say America has benefitted in any way that justifies the cost in lives and money.
The only available positive spin that can be placed on this, as the Iraqis politely insist that the Americans leave their soil, is that all of this has bought the Iraqis an opportunity to create a better form a government than they had before. Of course it should be no part of America's policy to go out into the world and knock dictators over in the hope they will be replaced by something better. And if the teetering democracy fails and another brutal dictator siezes power, then even that thin figleaf will be gone and it will all have been for nought.
"Dumb war" indeed.