What I can't help comparing the Iraq conflict with is the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. Over the ten years, the Mujahedeen did a serious number of better-trained and better-equipped Soviet forces, the various Spetsnaz units notwithstanding.

Any insight on a Viet Nam parallel here? My understanding of the Viet Nam war is moderate at best. Admittedly there's no Ho Chi Minh leading the opposition from a national base of operations, but the problems the US forces are currently facing in the hellhole known as Iraq ring somewhat familiar.