I really don't know.....

But what is happening in Iraq is the deciding face of Islam. Whether freedom reigns or not, will decide which direction it will take. If they choose not to be free, then the west will be in trouble for years to come.

But what is happening in Iraq is the deciding face of Islam. Whether freedom reigns or not, will decide which direction it will take. If they choose not to be free, then the west will be in trouble for years to come.

I don't see this situation as a religious one, it is more of a political one.

The election will most certainly happen. The Sunnis' proposed boycott of the election is the biggest problem, but the fact of the matter is, they are not being forced to boycott. If they were being forced, that would be another matter. Because every Sunni has the choice, the Sunni leaders and clerics are only encouraging them to screw themselves over further. No different in some angsty 19 year old kid in the USA saying, "I'm not voting because I don't believe in the process." The fact is that you gave up your chance to help determine the outcome. You have no right to complain about the results.


The sooner the destiny of Iraq rests firmly in the hands of Iraqis, the better.

Originally Posted by EuroSpike

"The Sunni area of central Iraq doesn't have a whole lot. Want the Sunnis to be suckers? Cut Iraq into 3 different countries."

They want to be leaders in Iraq. They don't want wrong beliefed dogs to mess their business and occupy their land. They want it as much as you would want China to occupy USA and turn it to black hole of communism. Arabs don't want or need western democracy and they don't rispect it as a goverment. Turning arabs to western democracy is like to turn a capitalist to be a communist.

When US after all someday pulls it's troops out from Iraq, there will be a civil war between different groups to check out who is the boss of the sandbox. Then will a brand new Saddam raise to take over. Weaker groups who try to disagree, will be eliminated.

Why should I say more? Simply agree. And I believe it is the cruel facts of current Iraq.

Elections will happen but not sure how things will play out from then on.

Security will be an ongoing issue (I"LL SAY IT AGAIN. NOT ENOUGH TROOPS!). Health and a stable power supply are also big concerns with the Iraq people.

Apart from the Sunni problem, it will be interesting to see how the Kurds and Shiites work together in government particularly as the Kurds seem to be insisting on continuing their autonomy in the north. The Shiites don't like that idea much.

Re-construction in Fallujah must happen promptly. Delays may create more support for the insurgents from the local population (when they can return!)

The US still needs the UN in Iraq. Its rather sad that the UN has to operate its programs from neighbouring Jordan because of the continuing risk to its people inside Iraq.

Security will be an ongoing issue (I"LL SAY IT AGAIN. NOT ENOUGH TROOPS!)

But do you really think more troops will solve the final problem?
I believe more troops will only make it look a bit quieter/safer in Iraq, for a bit more time, but the ROOT of the Iraq mess is still not solved by this MORE troops. When troops gone home, the ROOT problem pops up again.

Another point:
Didn't you all hear Bush say the Iraq Election in July 2005 during APEC?
Well, I believe it will still be held in Jan, but it will just be a "shadow" election, it looks like an election, but not one wholy hearted by Iraqi people. I this time, Iraqi ppl does not care elections at all, they only care: FOOD, SAFETY.

Originally Posted by FlyingFrog

But do you really think more troops will solve the final problem?
I believe more troops will only make it look a bit quieter/safer in Iraq, for a bit more time, but the ROOT of the Iraq mess is still not solved by this MORE troops. When troops gone home, the ROOT problem pops up again.

Another point:
Didn't you all hear Bush say the Iraq Election in July 2005 during APEC?
Well, I believe it will still be held in Jan, but it will just be a "shadow" election, it looks like an election, but not one wholy hearted by Iraqi people. I this time, Iraqi ppl does not care elections at all, they only care: FOOD, SAFETY.

Look, I see your point. We are not going to see whether this whole Iraqi business is going to work until US boots are off the ground. That could be years.

At present a lot of Iraqi people are not feeling secure on a day to day basis. More peacekeeping troops are needed to secure the real estate. The US troops are excellent at winning the battles (they have the right numbers for that) but peacekeeping is another matter. The trained up Iraqi units are a long way from being reliable. The UN is badly needed in Iraq. Poor security is keeping them out.

I think the the Iraqi people at present want a "strong man". Alawi could be that man as long as the US backs him for years. Alawi probably has many enemies. I have my doubts that the Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds are going to respect a democratic process if there isn't a strong military on the ground to back it up. These groups have self interests to protect and old axes to grind.

Alawi seems like a strong guy.
I just hope he's coping well with his family being kidnapped... terrible stuff.

Originally Posted by the_13th_redneck

Alawi seems like a strong guy.
I just hope he's coping well with his family being kidnapped... terrible stuff.

His relatives have been freed.

That's good