This entry was published at least two years ago (originally posted on July 21, 2003). Since that time the information may have become outdated or my beliefs may have changed (in general, assume a more open and liberal current viewpoint). A fuller disclaimer is available.
Still, [Douglas J. Feith, the No. 3 official at the Pentagon] and other Pentagon officials said, they are studying the lessons of Iraq closely — to ensure that the next U.S. takeover of a foreign country goes more smoothly.
“We’re going to get better over time,” promised Lawrence Di Rita, a special assistant to Rumsfeld. “We’ve always thought of post-hostilities as a phase” distinct from combat, he said. \”The future of war is that these things are going to be much more of a continuum.
“This is the future for the world we’re in at the moment,” he said. “We’ll get better as we do it more often.”
— The final three paragraphs of this LA Times article
(via Atrios)