Flash, Lawman... both of you are obviously very well read on this issue. Theres not really anything I can say to contribute much further. The type of fanaticism that we are dealing with is something entirely different, as stated. It is much harder to defeat an "idea" (ie islamic fundamentalism) than to destroy a conventional Army. Our current situation puts us into contact with a cowardly enemy, wary of our military force, and unwilling to face us in open combat. The only way to fight this is to adapt unconventional tactics... which I believe we've done at least a fair job in pursuing. But again, we are fighting insurgents and terrorists... we are fighting an idea, not a conventional military force as in WWII...
I think we need to look closely at our foreign policy in the past with regard to our future if we want to stop this fundamentalism. They don't "hate our freedom" or our way of life, they hate the circumstances in which they live and blame much of this on the West's previous foreign policy (supporting Iraq/Iran etc.) as well as current affairs ... As long as they can demonize us, they will be able to fight under this cloak of the "mujahadeen", the freedom fighters. Its hard to establish democracy in an area so divided by religious tradition and economic history. In short, we need to learn from the past and establish something solid, showing our good will and desire to help create stability. Much of this depends on the Iraqis uniting in an effort to create this stability... vice sectarian violence. Topics regarding our forces' influence have already been discussed.