Forward...

...into the past.

"The Baghdad communiqués are belated, insincere, incomplete. Things have been far worse than we have been told, our administration more bloody and inefficient than the public knows." -- T.E. Lawrence, The Sunday Times, August 1920

I'd imagine a similar report could be found from most any occupation in history. It may not be worse than you think, but it's always worse than you're told.

Hat tip to Jeanne D'Arc, who is far more eloquent on the subject at Body and Soul...