In 1920, Britain invaded Iraq (for the oil). After 12 years of liberation (aka occupation), the British transferred sovereignty (established a puppet government) and left. That puppet government was eventually overthrown some 20 years later after sporadic uprisings by various groups within Iraqi society.

It seems a little light reading of early 20th-century world history should have been required of current White House and Pentagon leaders prior to launching Operation Iraqi Freedom in March of last year.

The famed 20th-century writer George Santayana put it best when he said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

David Bernier, Lewiston