GW:
Did I say something about not provoking them
I know very well these are people and governments who cannot be reasoned with or placated. The point is; by attacking a relatively weak “no WMD” nation like IRAQ, US has (In the eyes of these guys) showed weakness, not strength. And the current squabble over manpower and cost for securing Iraq makes it easy for them to figure out the US tolerance level for casualties and money for any potential new conflicts.
High level diplomacy is like high stake poker; US has left themselves playing with an open hand (and without holding all the Aces).