In remarks to an annual conference of military reporters near Washington on Friday, former Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the leader of coalition forces in Iraq from 2003 to 2004, unloaded on the incompetent planning and management of the Iraq war by his former bosses in the Bush administration and the military:

“From a catastrophically flawed, unrealistically optimistic war plan to the administration’s latest surge strategy, this administration has failed to employ and synchronize its political, economic and military power,” Sanchez said.

He said the mismanagement of the war continues today:

“After more than four years of fighting, America continues its desperate struggle in Iraq without any concerted effort to devise a strategy that will achieve victory in that war-torn country or in the greater conflict against extremism,” Gen. Sanchez said…

“There has been a glaring and unfortunate display of incompetent strategic leadership within our national leaders,” he said, adding that civilian officials have been “derelict in their duties” and guilty of a “lust for power.”

And the future of the occupation looks very grim:

“There is no question America is living a nightmare with no end in sight … There is nothing going on today that would give us hope … The administration has failed.”

Sanchez’ career was derailed as a result of the Abu Grahib prison scandal, which occurred on his watch.