Yes. “Mistake” is unclear because it is unclear whether it is alluding to the Real War Aim of the Iraq War or the Stated War Aim (i.e. get rid of Hussein (who h

Yes. “Mistake” is unclear because it is unclear whether it is alluding to the Real War Aim of the Iraq War or the Stated War Aim (i.e. get rid of Hussein (who had WMDs)). Often what people mean is indeed that US had good intentions but just went about realizing them in a stupid manner. But politics is so ideological that you kind of have to ask what they mean by their shorthands.