I think Iraq did much more damage to American standing in the world than the World Wars (which improved our standing among other nations) or even Vietnam (which to be sure did significant damage). After Iraq, we were no longer seen as a beacon of freedom and democracy, but a bully who invaded a oil rich country on obviously false pretenses because no one could stop us. And then totally botched the job.

I also have to disagree that regime change in Iraq had other positive outcomes for American interests. It removed an implacable opponent of Iran and replaced it with a Shia controlled regime that was at best Finlandized and often overtly friendly to Iranian interests. Post-revolutionary Iran has never had more power in the Middle East than it does today and that is due in large part to a war that Mr. Cohen cheerled (in terms that were often dishonest).

I also have yet to see any evidence that the Arab spring was in any way motivated by our invasion of Iraq. It was led by people who had been fed up with generations of rule by violent extremely corrupt elites. How would our removal of a Sunni violent corrupt elite and installation of a Shia violent ridiculously corrupt elite with horrific outcomes for Sunnis inspire a revolution by Sunnis in other countries against their own local elites?

Again, I am huge fan, JVL. But I couldn't disagree more with you about Iraq. It was a terrible, terrible mistake.