Al Qaeda and Iran Posted by Ilan Goldenberg

Obama makes a central point.  The two reasons we are now in Iraq.  The two reasons that are constantly referred to:  Al Qaeda in Iraq, and growing Iranian influence are both didn't exist before the war and are a direct result of the war. 

He also asks for the end state.  Is the end state a messy Iraq like it is today which doesn't pose a threat to its neighbros with a small number of American troops?   Or is it to eliminate A Qaeda and Iranian influence altogether and build a democracy.  Something that will never ever happen and is impossible.