The Iraq War has degenerated into a "disaster avoidance" scenario now.
It is highly unlikely that the old Iraq of Saddam will survive. The very best that can be hoped for is a federation of semi-autonomus states that are a "nation" in name only.
The Shias and Sunnis will never agree...this is centuries old conflict...and it will not be solved by the "Chirstian Crusaders" sent by the likes of Dubya and Rummy.
The Shia Sunni conflict is an INTRA-ISLAM DEBATE... It's not a matter of democracy or elections. The social structure of Muslim society will likely not be influenced by the West either...women's rights has been a big issue among Muslims, but in the West many see it as a ploy to avoid talking about the real reason the West is occupying Muslim Lands...Oil and Israeli ambitions for a Greater Israel on the West Bank.
Furthermore any Muslim who thinks the Palestinians should have their rights...is considered a potential terrorist.
Clash of Cultures...Indeed!
Worse yet the entire world seems to love sticking it to the US...and the US proxy, Dubya, Rummy et al...
American is not liked in the world...not because we are "free" but because of our anti-populist policies... And Dubya is the perfect person to represent that new "Ugly American"... Hostile, Arrogant, incurious to the point of stupidity.
There are those who say the American occupation will continue for years, decades even... I give it six months or a year...at the outside until the end of the current Bush Term in office.
With Bush's approval rates heading into the 20's and then perhaps even the single digits...This war is over for all practical purposes.
