As America contemplates limited military action in Syria, many people are bringing up the ghosts of Iraq. So it's helpful to explain what those ghosts are.

America's rocky relationship with Iraq didn't start 10 years ago with the beginning of the war that would eventually oust Saddam Hussein.

It didn't even start in 1990, following Saddam's invasion of Kuwait.

In fact, the two countries began their modern relationship some 33 years ago, becoming entangled due to a violently deposed Persian Monarch and Washington's push to rein in an intransigent Iran.

Policy planners thought the key to maintaining control over the resource rich Middle East started with shaking Saddam's hand.

Things haven't exactly worked out as planned.