The mistake made in Irak was to believe that these countries can become democracies like ours.
It is either a dictatorship or the mussies. Consider Iran, the Shah was a dictator but managed to hold the muslim leaders. Once gone (thank to France and Jimmy Cartr) now islamic leader took over and Iran is becoming a real problem.
The same situation exists in Turkey. Without the army strong control, it would fast become yet an other islmaic republic.
Attaturk showed the way to do, any religious leader that was a bit too excited, a bullet in the head, if a mosquee was used to spread the wrong message, just bomb it. OK, he was a bastard in the way he treated catholic Armenians.
Always have in mind that islam is basicaly a political system, an undemocratic and backward one. It has to evolve or dissapear.
In my view the later is the best, to evolve is not possible because the kuran can't be changed and is fundamentaly bad despite all the crap people try to make you beleive. Tolerant islam does not and has never existed.
Just consider that facts, not one single democracy in the muslim world and where they are more than just a tiny minority they are trouble makers. To justify islam is as foolish as justifying nazism (hitler was a great admirer of islam) or communism.
On the other hand saddam was a ruthless dictator and truly becoming dangerous.
If you consider that military force worked well with Lybia it may have worked in Irak. Maybe an other less vicious dictator is the answer.
The same situation exists in Afghanistan and here it is not jut the US that is involved.
To be cynical, I think that we have to let them kill each others and not intervene so long as they do not pose a threat to us.
About islam, watch this !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WLoasfOLpQWe have also to developp the technology in order not to have to rely on human soldiers but use robots, drone etc...
And you do not fight these people using "fair" method.