By then I would expect the Iraqi army to be much stronger and competent to handle matters on its own...

Please don't tell me we're over there trying to build a "buffer" state...one that we can eventually toss like an angry cat into Iran's face.

LOL, no relax. Tom had the right idea in a post below, and this what I have been perpetuating as why we went to war ever since before we invaded. The middle east is in a sorry mess. We need a democracy there, or as Tom phrased it "an example state". I was pleased and not at all suprised when massive demonstrations errupted across Iran after the initial smoke settled over Iraq.

This is something that will take time, but in five or ten years will pay off if Iraq remains stable. . . And I hope everyone here is hoping for stability there, and not wishing the worst to prove a point.

Obviously I would expect Aircraft operating out of Bagdad Int Aiport to lay waste to Irans military capability before we went in.

Oh good Gawd.

Justin, I mean no disrespect, but WTF? Perhaps, in a way, this illustrates why Iranians might feel they need nukes. .

Well, on one hand I disagree about "this" being the reason because thier nuclear program started before our invasion of Iraq. Before we would have been in a poor position to do anything about Iran militarily if the need arises, and that is after all the direciton this thread took. Where would we have invaded from? Afganistan? Irans western border is every bit as mountanous as Afganistan, it would be a nightmare for a main assault.

Wether we really need the military action was not in the discussion, so I didn;t see your post as making a point so much as changing the subject, though I would be glad to discuss that with you if you want.

As far as wanting nuclear weapons for state security, sure who doesn't? North Korean sure wants them, and in fact, I would really advocate Taiwan really get to work on them yesterday because pretty soon that will be their only chance, we won't be able to hold off the horde much longer.

The problem I have is being fair. "we have nukes, so why can't every one else?" International politics is not about fairness, I gaurantee every one else does not have fairness on the top of their mind. Any leader who takes an openly fair attitude about it ends up getting screwed, and does an unforgivable diservice to their countrymen as they are ones who bear the brunt as their nation is taken advantage of by the other countries who are being more realistic.

Its a ratrace. . .