A decade after the US-led invasion of Iraq, many wonder whether a conflict that took more than 150,000 Iraqi and 4,400 American lives, wounded or displaced hundreds of thousands more, and cost over $2 trillion was worth the effort. Can the US repair its damaged reputation in the region, and will Iraqis be able to curb internal violence and establish a stable political order?
![nowrojee3_BENSON IBEABUCHIAFP via Getty Images_nigeriaprotests](https://webapi.project-syndicate.org/library/8a8e0c5f5dc371f1e2bee15977efb2a6.16-9-medium.1.jpg)