Politics: a dangerous, costly mess

From the beginning of the conflict, it was doubtful that we for long would be seen as liberators, but instead increasingly as an occupying force. Now we are immersed in a dangerous, costly mess, and there is no easy and quick way to end our responsibilities in Iraq without creating bigger future problems in the region and, in general, in the Muslim world.

That from retiring Republican Nebraska representative Doug Bereuter in a letter to his constituents. Bereuter is a senior member of the House International Relations Committee and vice chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.