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Never underestimate the power of democracy. That it is a better way of living and doing business is obvious to even illiterate farmers, once they have seen it done. That is why tribalists and Sharia Law advocates hate it so much, is because it supplants their efforts at organization. But it is noteworthy in Iraq, that even the tribal leaders are coming around to the superiority of democracy as a system. They are wise enough to be willing to cede personal power for the benefit of their people. Believers in democracy are revolutionaries, but not obvious ones. They can and do look like everyone, and may be open and direct, or discreet about their beliefs. They may be a member of a royal family, a merchant, a worker, a bureaucrat, anyone. They overtly and subtly inject democratic ideas into what they do, and their beliefs spread like a virus. Even in China, the government is distraught because rural peasants now often say, "Let's vote on it!" And every argument against voting makes you sound like you think everyone else is stupid. So what does the introduction of democracy mean to Iraq? It means that the human drama, and sectarian strife will continue until the Iraqis find their balance point, where the Sunnis behave and the Shiites feel they have gotten their revenge. But surprisingly, they will continue to vote. And Sunnis will have power according to their numbers. Because Iraq has tried democracy, and likes it. Remember that democracy doesn't mean an end to problems, even in the most peace-loving of nations. Even in the United States. But it does spread, again, like a virus. The democratic revolution has been introduced to the Middle East. Every country in the region now has to contend with democrats, and the old paradigms of tribal authority, Sharia Law, and dictatorship running the place are numbered. The war in Iraq ended in 2003. What has existed since is a de facto occupation. But Iraq now has a democratic government that will be very hard to displace; and they now have a very large military and national police, who are getting some very good training to protect and defend their nation. Because of what we have done, Iraq will survive. Now, our task before we leave is to make sure that Iraq will thrive. And that every nation in the ME now must look over their shoulder and wonder if a democrat is behind them.