CarlosShyamalan

Not every wars goal is total defeat of the enemy. Securing resources, gaining influence and elimination a dictator can be valid goals of a conflict.

CarlosShyamalan

Iraq was arguably a win since Saddam was overthrown and a puppet government installed. Even Afghanistan was in a way a sucess since the US gained influence.

Its just that the official goals of the wars, to stabilize the region, complete and utterly failed.