You didn't mention either Iraq or Afghanistan, Strolling Johnny, and noone else had either. The rationale for the Afghanistan war in terms of hitting the supposed architects of September 11 is stronger than for Iraq, obviously, but how far it actually did much to actually weaken Al Qaida is pretty questionable.

I have a suspicion that the main purpose may well have been more to achieve the right kind of effect on the American public, rather than anything else.