As the war drums for an Iranian invasion grow louder, Eric Margolis challenges the many follies surrounding the so-called victory in Iraq. Conventional foreign policy rhetoric would claim the U.S. was victorious in Iraq — but what is the outcome of the conflict almost a decade after it began?

$1 trillion spent. Burning hatred for America across the Muslim world. Animosity in Europe, which warned against Bush’s modern crusade. Huge future expenses to sustain an obedient Iraqi regime while anti-U.S. nationalist sentiment there is boiling. A big boost for Iran’s regional influence. The deaths and wounding of thousands of American servicemen.

Rod Dreher explores Southern identity, and explains why he loves the land that one encounters south of the Mason-Dixon line.

The Hill reports that Senator Rand Paul is seeking to assert congressional authority on war powers, challenging the Obama Administration’s unauthorized foreign internventions. Paul has introduced an amendment to a Defense Department authorization bill that would clarify that only congress has the authority to declare and terminate war — not the president. As Paul said in a statement,

On several occasions this year, Congress has been ignored or remained silent while the president committed our forces to combat … It is my intention to urge Congress to reclaim its constitutional authority over the decision to go to war, or to end a war — it is one of the body’s most important powers.