Basra is primarily Shiite, as opposed to the ruling Ba'aths, and inherently hostile to the central government.

If this isn't to turn into the version of "democracy" that Bush has created in Aftghanistan, with an American puppet in Kabul and 4 or 6 warlords really running the countryside, someone has to bring these factions under control.

Like Tito did in Yugoslavia, and Hussein did in Iraq.

Or, it will blow apart, and no one will be "free", except Halliburton to loot the place.

But Basra should have been a slam dunk, a walk-in. If people wanted to be "liberated", that is. I'm beginning to think these people don't want to be "liberated".

Maybe psyops needs to drop a few more leaflets telling 'em how bad it was, and good it's going to be, if they live through it. How they can apply to Halliburton for jobs, minimum wage of course, and be free to buy McBurgers with that minimum wage.

Arf