History Repeats...

James Perloff, "Shadows of Power":

The Vietnam War is a mystery only if seen through the accumulated myths surrounding it-- such as that it resulted from blunders, or even from overconfident jingoism. Viewed however, as an exercise in deliberate mismanagement, it ceases to mystify, for its outcome fulfilled precisely the goals traditional to the CFR***.

Updated version:

The Iraq War is a mystery only if seen through the accumulated myths surrounding it-- such as that it resulted from blunders, or even from overconfident intelligence on WMD. Viewed however, as an exercise in deliberate mismanagement, it ceases to mystify, for its outcome fulfilled precisely the goals traditional to the ruling elite.

***Council of Foreign Relations