Bremer: “Conventional wisdom that the occupation was bungled is wrong” Bremer led the Coalition Provisional Authority that managed Iraq before the new Iraqi government took over in 2004. Today marks the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq. Bremer advocates patience with the Bush administration’s plan to increase troop levels to improve security in Baghdad. He also explores the root causes of suicidal terrorism, a phenomenon he dates to the late 1980s and early 1990s. Bremer says he is hopeful because where others only see failure, he sees marked success.”]