I like the first part of your reply, it is not trying to glamorise the war. It was a war, and still is, for profit. Nothing more, nothing less.
I disagree that the Iraqi people are better off now, after all, what value is the right to vote if you fear for your life every time you go to a market?
Removing a threat? A threat to oil production. Definitely not a threat to anyone outside of the vicinity.
Iraq - Success? Militarily in prying the country open and killing tens of thousands of civilians? Yes
Afghanistan? Never. Not ever. But there will be spin attached to when there is a withdrawal to proclaim it a success, just like Iraq