[Ranger]

I'm thinking pretty clearly that Mosul-Kirkuk needs a series of very large and permanent US bases. We need a democratic Kurdish dominated country which, as part of the condition for our involvement, would respect the borders of Iran and Turkey. We can't abandon them again.

As to the Sunnis in the central and western regions, I'm happy to have a secular government but think democracy is beyond their scope. As to the Shia areas, well unless we want to fight them, then I guess they are drifting to theocracy, not because of Sadr, but because there is no Shia group willing to stand up to Sadr or the Iranians. I'm concluding we can knock their shackles off, but there is nothing to keep them from putting them back on again.

I'm appreciate you thoughts. For example, is there any alternative to the Baathists in the Sunni areas?

[swarthyguy]

>>any alternative to the Baathists in the Sunni areas?

IMO, No. No alternative when to have a career you had to join the party. And I think we've given up that ghost of no Baathis.