Bush faced criticism for his handling of the Iraq War from "summary" of The Promise by Jonathan Alter
Critics pounced on Bush's management of the Iraq War, arguing that his decision to invade the country was based on faulty intelligence. They contended that the administration had exaggerated the threat posed by Saddam Hussein's regime in order to justify military action. The failure to find weapons of mass destruction, which had been the primary justification for the invasion, only fueled the backlash against Bush. As casualties mounted and the war dragged on, public support for the mission waned. Many questioned the administration's strategy for stabilizing Iraq and rebuilding the country in the aftermath of the invasion. The lack of a clear exit plan further eroded confidence in Bush's leadership. The Abu Ghraib prison scandal dealt a further blow to Bush's credibility, with images of prisoner abuse shocking the world and tarnishing America's reputation. Critics seized on the scandal as evidence of the administration's disregard for human rights and international law. The rising death toll among American troops and Iraqi civilians sparked calls for a reevaluation of the war effort. Critics accused Bush of stubbornly clinging to a failing policy, ignoring the advice of military commanders and failing to adapt to the changing realities on the ground. As the war continued to drag on, with no end in sight, Bush found himself increasingly isolated on the issue. Even within his own party, voices of dissent began to emerge, questioning the wisdom of the administration's approach to Iraq. Despite Bush's efforts to defend his handling of the war, the criticism continued to mount. The lack of progress in stabilizing Iraq and the growing perception of a quagmire weighed heavily on his presidency, overshadowing other policy initiatives and casting a long shadow over his legacy.
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