Well that's the ticket isn't it. As long as we are an outside entity, this is true. But when we are integral in the rebuilding of Iraq we can take this opportunity to both show our respect for Islam and help it evolve constructively at the same time. The secret to Islam's evolution will be a continued presence and also sacrifice, but hopefully after perhaps another decade we will have won over enough and planted seeds for the next generation of Iraqi Muslims to nurture and embrace.

If we don't, we will only remain a target of greater Islam and our only benefit will be an economic one in terms of oil secured and fields protected. This is the chance to make a difference. We certainly made almost no difference to Islam when we simply 'hosted' peace conferences every several years at Camp David.