B. G. - Once Iraq is independent I suspect the terrorism will be reduced, but not eliminated.

"This in turn could undermine the handover, which will be fragile enough given that the Iraqi interim government will have very little power.

"US and other coalition forces will stay on under a four-star US general, so providing motivation for a continued insurgency.

"The US administrator Paul Bremer has an exit strategy for himself. He will simply leave."

Iraqi sovereignity seems to be more the US bailing out of responsibility for their internal security while retaining control of the country and it's resources. Turning over the safety of the citizens to a shadow police force.

Sort of like the USSR and post-WWII Hungary, Czechoslavakia, Rumania and Bulgaria.

Puppet states. With a bunch of foreign troops stationed there who see that the country and it's citizen leaders behave according to the master's wishes.

Arf