It's simply too early to paint Iraq as a success let alone a huge success. If, ten years from now, we see a self-sufficient democracy is prevailing over new repressive regimes, historians may indeed see these elections as a type of mission accomplished. Although the Iraq War was not initially about rogue terrorism, future instability in the region could trump the plusses. Though the election milestone is definitely encouraging, we must never forget the cost to American families in both troops lost and the lasting mark on our nation's deficit.
