Approximately (or exactly, for this stories sake) March 2003, during the onset of the current war, my friend and I created a wager.
If in 10 years, that is March 2013, invading Iraq was a good decision, I will buy him (and significant other) dinner. Likewise, if Iraq in 10 years (five now) looked to be a blunder, he will buy me (and significant other) dinner.
Thomas Ricks, a Washington Post journalist, would probably be my first line of defense.
I was assigned to read his first book chronicling the Iraq conflict (WAR), Fiasco, for History 319-1, History of American Foreign Relations 1900-Present. The books was meticulously researched, lucid, clear and well-informed. (Link: http://www.amazon.com/Fiasco-American-Military-Adventure-Iraq/dp/0143038915/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234283045&sr=8-1)
The New York Times today reviewed his second book (review: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/books/10kaku.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=ricks%20the%20gamble&st=cse) on the subject, titled, The Gamble, extending his narrative chronologically to detail the surge, and the second phase of tactical command, lead by General Patraeus (link: http://www.amazon.com/Gamble-Petraeus-American-Adventure-2006-2008/dp/1594201978/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234283124&sr=1-5).
If your trying to stay current, no better way than with Ricks in my opinion.
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