I wouldn't say the US is paralyzed in 'Stan/Iraq... counter insurgency is a long uphill slog and true things aren't 100% in Iraq. But how much of that is at the foot of the Iraqi's? If the different factions weren't so greedy in their quest for power in the name of all mighty Allah Iraq would be a much better place. Intervention from the likes of Syria and Iran in forms of arms doesn't help matters either, but thats an issue for the UN and the international community as a whole, which doesn't seem to be doing much about it either!
