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REFLECTING on the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, we appreciate the perspective of U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, a canny observer of politics but also of the events he and others in Washington must consider in forming national policy.

Cole recently told The Oklahoman that the world is better off without Saddam Hussein, and that Americans now take Saddam's overthrow for granted.

No question, the passage of time makes closing Saddam's torture chambers, uncovering his killing fields and ending the threat he posed can seem like small consolation for the hardships the United States has experienced.

Add to that the hindsight knowledge that strategies to secure the peace were flawed — too few troops, mistakes in their deployment, missteps in bringing along Iraq's political leaders. Nearly 4,000 combat deaths and $500 billion later, Iraq remains a costly test of America's endurance.

Cole said we now have the right military plan, evidenced by dramatically lower casualty rates. There are signs of political progress by the Iraqis. The question is now what? Iraq's cost has been high, but the cost of abandoning it might be higher.

Iraq could regress into a sectarian steel-cage match, with al-Qaida looking to become resurgent. Iran surely would try to fill the vacuum. The U.S. military would face another Vietnam-like crisis of confidence.

As dangerous would be the blow to America's standing in the world. The "blame America first” crowd would argue it's the price of hubris, but we're not talking about false or inflated pride. The perception of a strong and resolute America helps keep enemies from taking us on. Weakness or indifference emboldens them.

Our sense is we've come too far to quit just as it appears the right track has been found. "It would be a tragedy if we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory,” Cole said. Yes, it would.