[dts32041]

The Iraq war has predictably evolved into a guerrilla conflict similar to Vietnam.

Been trying to figure out what is this Viet Nam crap, I think it is more like the reconstrution period after the war of northern aggression, (or maybe the aftermath of WWII) with the copperheads fueling the effort of the losers.

I wish I was a better versed in that period of our history, but it seems very similiar.

Any comments from those have more knowledge of those periods?

[colorado tanker]

I think the analogy to post-War Germany would be best. Iraq is wealthy and well-educated by Middle East standards and they want to put the Saddam era behind them. There was much less destruction in Iraq, but it will still take time to rebuild infrastructure and build new political institutions. My recollection is that Germany really hadn't recovered until around 1950.

Reconstruction doesn't work as an analogy for me because the troops were viewed as a northern occupation force that favored a minority group over the majority of southerners. In Iraq most people, according to the Zogby poll, want U.S. help to become a modern, democratic country.

The Vietnam analogy is wrong too. We were propping up an unpopular president and then unpopular generals against a popular movement. In Iraq we deposed the unpopular dictator. Also, winning in Vietnam required a massive supply effort from the north and eventually regular troops from the north. Iran and Syria might like to see us fail, but there is no evidence of significant military support for the terrorists. Keep in mind the Baathist regime was identified with the Sunni center and persecuted Shiites, Kurds and Turkmens. So, in Iraq we're with the overwhelming majority.

I think most of this "quagmire" will drain off once Saddam is killed or captured.