"Iraq became a central front against terrorism, drawing jihadists from around the world like moths to a flame. It was not the original intention of the administration to create such a front; indeed, George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld were slow to admit that a guerrilla war was underway. Nevertheless, the concentration of jihadists that resulted gave the United States the opportunity to inflict enormous harm on the worldwide jihadist movement. The U.S. armed forces have taken full advantage of that opportunity."

That last line is my favorite in the article.