[bnelson44]

Also, at the time there was a real danger of a Shiite insurgency. And the Kurds had very active militias.

[Zeroisanumber]

Also, at the time there was a real danger of a Shiite insurgency. And the Kurds had very active militias.

True, but the Kurds were (still are, I think) pro-American and while the Shiites don't have much use for us, they can count. In a democracy, Shiites will make-up the majority of the electorate. The Shiite plan was to simply wait us out and take over. And if we killed a few hotheads like al Sadr while we were at it, so much the better.