At this point in this so called war, it seems as resources have played a role in it, but also I believe another main goal was to have a permant Unites States military base in what is now democratic Iraq. I know for sure we now have at least 4 major permanent military bases in Iraq with the intent to be in range of all other middle eastern countries who are/may be a near future threat to the US such as Iran/Syria. After nearly a decade of war only a small handful has even been remotely accomplished and there is nothing more TO accomplish, just more loss of our troops that could be better off safe at home helping us in our own country with their families and communities instead of risking their lives for a lost cause. Hence, the Russians fought Afghanistan for a decade and accomplished absolutely not a thing before USA attempted it's crusade. Mobster, Louisiana