All the criticism of the Pentagon’s war plan seems silly now, doesn’t it?

The stunning developments of the last few days have vindicated those who crafted the strategy against Saddam Hussein’s regime. With amazing efficiency, the Americans and British sped through a hostile environment and toppled the capital city, either killing the president or sending him into hiding. With a brutal combination of air strikes, ground assaults and special operations and psychological warfare, they went a long way toward a historic victory.

It’s not over, of course; pockets of resistance remain and some are worried that the major battle that never materialized in Baghdad may instead happen in Saddam’s hometown of Tikrit. And the work of rebuilding the country still looms. But with so much accomplished in just over three weeks, and with only a tiny fraction of the casualties suffered by the other side, the coalition’s success is beyond question. That’s a credit to the leaders who planned the effort and the troops who carried it out.

And even for some who questioned the validity of the war, including those in the Arab world, images of cheering Iraqis kissing Marines and stomping on statues of their deposed despot have to be compelling evidence that this war will, in the long run, bring positive change to Iraq, as long as the international community stays committed to helping the country along to a better system of government.

Tribune editorials represent the opinion of the newspaper’s management and editorial staff.