To know history

"Our armies do not come into your cities and lands as conquerors or enemies, but as liberators. Your wealth has been stripped of you by unjust men ... The government of Iraq, and the future of your country, will soon belong to you ... We will end a brutal regime .. so that Iraqis can live in security". It was a new on on me when I read it this morning. The speaker is General FS Maude, Commander of the British Forces to the people of Mesopotamia, 1917. Just goes to show the importance of knowing your history, and the truth of the adage "whoever doesn't know history, is bound to repeat is" or thereabouts.