[AFPhys]

You have apparently known very few if any expatriots from Iraq or Iran. The two dozen or so I have worked with have been very ready for democracy, and Saddumb only survived by the great and explicit threats he held over the fate of families. More than one who I knew "had to go back" in order to save their family from threats. This is not a stupid people, and I predict that in 15 years they will be a huge technological force in the MidEast.

[NCSteve]

You have apparently known very few if any expatriots from Iraq or Iran.

No, but I have known my share of Iranian, Saudi Arabian, and Lebanese citizens, Muslims all of them. I can tell you from that experience it will take a lot more that an optimistic outlook and best wishes to overcome what the Imams and the Ayatollahs have spent over a thousand years pounding into the culture and society of these people.