[Arkinsaw]

So somebody tell me, is the one bringing this up Shiite or Sunni? Sounds like somebody likes invasion and wants to experience another.

[WhiteGuy]

I guess Iran wants to be on the "300 Billion Dollar rebuilding plan" list.

[GeronL]

ruh roh

[Vigilanteman]

One thing I've questioned all along is the obession with keeping Iraq's borders intact. The Kurds basically have earned their own independent state in the north. In fact, with minimal U.S. supervison, they could hold elections tomorrow.

The Shiites in the south of the country, while not pro-U.S., could move into a transitional type state simply by separating them from Iran with some device such ass an international (screw the UN, make it British or coalition occupation) occupation zone around the coastal area of Basra. The zone would be mainly to control trade. Want a crappy Islamic state? Fine, as long as it doesn't harbor terrorists or anti-western Madrassas, the zone remains open and trade and your lifeline will flow. Screw with us and the spigot closes.

The central so-called Sunni Triangle remains the biggest question mark and source of unrest. Two options remain insofar as I can see:

1. Sandwiched between two hostile Shiite and Kurdish states, it can be marginalized and possibly eventually tamed.
   
2. The Michael Savage approach-- cordon it off and turn it into a giant box of kitty litter.