[dawn53]

I heard some "terrorism" expert on talk radio this AM.

He had an interesting perspective. He said Sadaam was the "evil cork" in the bottle, and once he was removed, the "genie" was let out. He said removing Sadaam was valid, but he didn't believe that the Iraqis will be able to rule themselves.

He thought either another "strong man" would have to step in, or that Iraq will be plagued with civil war and fracture into smaller states that will then be gobbled up by neighboring Arab states.

Sure hope that doesn't happen, and I hope he's wrong. This guy didn't have too much faith in the Iraqi people to be able to govern themselves.

[mastequilla]

He had an interesting perspective. He said Sadaam was the "evil cork" in the bottle, and once he was removed, the "genie" was let out. He said removing Sadaam was valid, but he didn't believe that the Iraqis will be able to rule themselves.

He thought either another "strong man" would have to step in, or that Iraq will be plagued with civil war and fracture into smaller states that will then be gobbled up by neighboring Arab states.

I think he nailed it right on the head. Iraq was (and is) an artificial state that has been held together since the 1920's by strongmen. Absent a ruthless leader the country will come apart at the seams much like Yugoslavia after Tito's demise or the Soviet Union after Gorby took his foot off the neck of Eastern Europe.

[monday]

"This guy didn't have too much faith in the Iraqi people to be able to govern themselves."

That is a no brainer. Anyone who thinks they can govern themselves hasn't been paying attention. Iraq isn't a natural country like Iran. It is a collection of different tribes and ethnic groups which will never be able to live peacefully together without a brutal dictator like Saddam to force them.

We should force them to partition into three states. Shiite in the south, Sunni in the middle, and Kurd in the north. It would be much more peaceful in the area after we leave if we did.