http://groups.google.com/group/rec.b...91b9f4a?hl=en&

While the troops were making the dash to Baghdad and millions marched
for peace...

Sorry Chuck, I can't help myself.

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We are left with only four options for the end game.

To start with: A non-option is that peace and democracy will spring
into
full flower throughout the country. The region is rife with clan
rivalries.
There are three major factions (Kurds, Sunnis, Shiites) that will have
to
have things their way or they will go to war to make things right. The
only
reason that they are not at each other's throat right now is the
powerful
hand of Saddam. (See torture and Baath party goon squads above) Remove
that
control and you are unleashing a full-fledged civil war. Whatever
solution
put in place will have to deal with this problem. It will take at least
two
generation of nation building to get a functional democracy running
properly.

So - what can work?

1) America assumes the role of a foreign occupier. This *is* the stated
goal
of the white house. Dress it up any way you want - call it a civilian
panel
if it makes you feel any better. At the end of the day, the steel in
the
velvet glove is the American military. The administration figures that
they
will throw around a bunch of money and sprinkle the pixie dust of free
elections and everything will come out OK. Did I mention that this will
take
a *lot* of money? Even then, this will not work for very long. Internal
friction between the different populations will prevent a successful
government. Look to Ireland to see some of the problems. Iraq will be
much
worse. From the day the war ends the question will start to rise - when
are
you leaving? I fear that we will not be a good guest; you will see that
we
greatly overstay our welcome. Soon we will see nightly stories of Iraqi
protest. These will be side by side with reports of deaths among the
peacekeeping forces. Expect gruesome terrorist attacks both at home
and
abroad. In the process the conservative party will pay a heavy price
for
starting this ill-fated adventure. We will be forced to look for other
solution both at home and abroad. Liberals will smirk and say, "I told
you
so!"