Isn't the same true of Iraq, post-Saddam? And yet these are Muslim people.
I am not optimistic. In my long post to you, towards the end I said "watch what happens to Iraq after we leave."
I am afraid that there will be tribal fighting and many would be despots will vie for the S Hussein position.
Take this little cleric al sadr for example; he's 31 years old, his father was an Ayatollah who was murdered by S Hussein's thugs in 1999, yet he is our enemy. I usually am not a cynic, I'm usually "positive", but I am afraid this is an exception. It cost 200 American lives to depose S Hussein and we've lost 600 more American lives there so far - "post-saddam" as you call it.
I am hopeful, but I wouldn't bet on things going well in Iraq without the cost of more American lives or after Americans have left. In fact I wouldn't bet on the interim government living until elections.
And after we leave, don't be surprised if the Iranian muslims decide that their sovereignty over shat al-arab should be expanded Westward...after all that was set by a treaty between the Shah and S Hussein, who they think were both scoundrels.
Speaking of Iran; when Khomeini kicked the bucket, the Iranians did not become our "friends" again as they supposedly were under the Shah.
Islam was "created" by Mohammed who was a murderer, pillager, rapist and died by being murdered (poison). At least this is what I've gleaned from my reading. How can followers of such a man be "friends" of America?