Just questions, no real answers here...

As near as I can make out, the neo-cons originally sold the early entry into this war to W with claims that we would be out by the 2004 elections. Is that why we went in before we allowed the weapons inspectors a final pass, (big mistake), and alone, except for the UK (another big mistake)? This was followed by complete lack of post-war planning, (actually the ignoring of what plans were made), and massive corruption here for "contracts".

Let's start with the fundamentals: Iraq is a construction of three distinct peoples which the British put together after World War 1 to maintain its oil concessions.

The current attacks seem to be limited to Sunni areas, as the universal expectation is that in the elections the long oppressed Shia will take power. The line being promoted is that Syria is supporting these Sunni attacks, and interfering with Iraqi affairs. I don't know if this is true or not...

The next part being sold publicly is that after the elections Iraq will then continue united, and that the government there will continue either to want or to tolerate US troop prescence. This one is easy.

O fucking really...

My guess is that the Shia will want the US out as fast as possible. The next question is whether the Shia would want to unite with Iran.

If the Sunni do not have power, they will want protection against reprisal by the Shia, and seek Syrian aid.

The Kurds would be happy alone.

If their thinking still follows their earlier patterns, and I do not know whether this is true or not, the Israeli expansionist's goal at this point would be to forment a war between Iran and Syria, so as to continue the chaos and the wedge. If their thinking still follows their earlier patterns, and I do not know whether this is true or not, their most important goal at this point must be to drive a wedge between Syria and Iran; in the meantime, if W applies any pressure for the Palestinians, he wouldl come under a vicious attack...

On the other hand, the government of Israel may be trying to reach an agreement with the Palestinians...

We'll see...

In any case, as I pointed out before we went in alone, our troops are stuck in the midst of a civil war, and ways out are not apparent... there is no exit strategy, our troops are being killed and wounded, along with innocent Iraqis...

ep