@hacks4pancakes One note of caution, if you're comparing the public mood about Iraq from the US to the mood about Iran from Australia around Iran.

Across the political spectrum, the general public in Australia is usually a lot more sceptical of US foreign policy and military intervention than our political class.

Australia's political leaders, in both major parties, have never seen a US-led regime change they didn't immediately sign up for. Even when the public isn't fully on board (which is often).

I remember in the US there was a lot of jingoism in the lead up to the Iraq invasion about "supporting our troops" and hanging a flag in your window.

The public mood in Australia in the lead up to Iraq, meanwhile, was more cynical about Dubya and his claims of weapons of mass destruction.

So if you're comparing the general public mood and your colleagues reacted or the small talk in the local café in the US about war, to the general mood in Melbourne, there's likely to be a difference on that front.