[Burkeman1]

You are wrong. Japan did have extensive democratic experience. It's freely elected prime minister was assassinated (by "right wing" types) in the 20's for appearing to "cave in" to US demands. This lead eventually to Tojo and military rule with the emporer as a figure head (though his role in the conduct of the war appears to be much greater than first acknownledged by either us or the Japanese.) Japan had far more exposure to Western culture and even accepted and embraced it and imitatated it than Iraq has ever had.

Iraq is not an Island. It is surrounded by countries that covet it's land and it's allegiance. I would say 100'000 might be an over estimate given modern technology. But we can't get away with less than 30 thousand like in South Korea.

[Servant of the Nine]

You are wrong. Japan did have extensive democratic experience. It's freely elected prime minister was assassinated (by "right wing" types) in the 20's for appearing to "cave in" to US demands.

NO

The Diet and PM were chosen in little more than sham elections controlled by various political factions, the Emperor, the Military, the Zaibatsus.

SO9