A former chief of US-led forces in Iraq has called the United States' mission in Iraq ''a nightmare with no end in sight'' because of political misjudgements after the fall of Saddam Hussein and continuing mistakes.
Retired Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, who commanded coalition troops for a year beginning in June 2003, has cast a wide net of blame for both political and military shortcomings in Iraq that helped open the way for the insurgency.
Sanchez says current strategies including the deployment of 30 thousand additional forces earlier this year are a "desperate attempt" to make up for years of misguided policies in Iraq.
"After more than four years of fighting, America continues its desperate struggle in Iraq without any concerted effort to devise a strategy that will achieve victory in that war torn country or in the greater conflict against extremism. From a catastrophically flawed, unrealistically optimistic war plan to the administration's latest surge strategy, this administration has failed to employ and synchronise its political, economic and military power. "
Sanchez retired from the Army last year, two years after serving for 12 months as commander of all U.S. forces in Iraq.
