President George W. Bush’s declaration of “mission accomplished” in Iraq five years ago was as hubristic as his current assessment that the “surge” has “delivered a major strategic victory in the broader war on terror” is a fantasy. The Iraq adventure is not only the longest and most expensive war in America’s history – the Nobel laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz has advanced a staggering estimate of $3 trillion – but is also the least conclusive.
五年前，布什总统宣布伊拉克战争“使命胜利完成”时过于狂妄。现在，他评价说“增兵”已经“在更为广泛的反恐战争中赢得了一场重要战略胜利”则是胡言乱语。伊拉克战争冒险是美国历史上历时最长、耗资最多的一场战争。诺贝尔经济学奖得主斯蒂格里茨估计其费用高达三万亿美元。不仅如此，这一战争也是最为难以定论的。