Q 1: Self aggrandisement and all the wrong things. Much like Ceaucescu.
Q 2: In terms of keeping its population protected and providing a reasonable infrastructure, any country in Western Europe, the USA, Scandinavia, Australia. You name me anywhere in the developed world more dangerous to live than Iraq.

And if you do know people serving in Iraq, why don't you ask them if things are getting better or worse instead of selectively regurgitating partisan press releases Googled from the web? My friends are pretty candid in their views that things have got significantly worse since 'Mission Accomplished'.
As for your confident predictions, let's wait and see, eh Nostradamus? Your track record on predictions hasn't been too good to date, but there's always a first time.