[hunter112]

Here's what I don't understand. Obviously, in this case, the Bush Administration is backing Sunni regimes, but in Iraq, we are backing a predominantly Shiite regime.

Are we trying to play off both sides at a time? That would be clever, but I really don't think that an administration that's as ham-handed on illegal immigration would be this creative.

[Salem]

"...Are we trying to play off both sides at a time?"

I think the religious factions at play in the region are peripheral issues for the Administration to dealing with Iran and their nuclear ambitions, as well as countering a resurgent Russia, as well as China further out.