[Lothar]

The goal needs to be a stable government. The strategy needs to be to follow the counter-insurgency tactics that were developed during and post Vietnam. Namely, protect the population in cooperation with Iraqi defense forces and isolate insurgents. By winning the trust and support of the population, people who are just trying to get on with their lives will become part of the counter-insurgency effort by informing Iraqi defense forces of known insurgents. Stopping bomb making hardware from entering the country from Iran and Syria would also be a good start.

If the current Iraqi government collapses, Iran could extend its brand of militant Islam over much of the Middle East. That's why Saudi Arabia is making overtures to supply troops to stabilize Iraq and defend against Iran.