The equation will change once the Iraqis do most of the fighting. The war will be between the US backed Iraqis and the Jihadist backed Iraqis. Except our side (Shiites plus Kurds) represents 80 percent of Iraq. I spoke with a buddy who served in Iraq. He tells me the Iraqi Army is an all volunteer force. They have no shortage of recruits. Initially they came for money, but more are joining because the insurgents have killed their relative or friend. Ever since the Shiites won the election, more recruits are Shiites and Kurds. Once the US is out of the picture, the Sunni insurgents are going to get the full treatment. The Shiite and Kurdish troops are going to do what is necessary to win (unlike the US troops hampered by PR and PC issues). Insurgent prisoners will be tortured and their families punished. I think the US should help Iraq develop a 600,000 man army but a very small Air Force. Once in place, the Iraqi government should build a case against Syria's role in the insurgency in the UN. Get approval for military action, and the US should act as its allie by providing SOF, FIST and air power in a war against Syria. After Syria, Iran and the last terror support group Saudi Arabia. The Shah of Iran was once the US proxy in the Persian Gulf, maybe Iraq could fill that role in the 21st Century.
Amen!
You are right .