Reply #38: My response [View All]

Iraq is certainly better off without that bloody bastard Saddam Hussein in power -- but what is far less certain is if Iraq will be better off with whatever government follows him! It was this very great uncertainty that the more prudent Bush 1 administration factored in when they considered military operations over with the retreat of Iraq from Kuwait, and not going for the ousting of Hussein. Iraq is highly fragmented, always has been, and is certainly in grave danger of being now seized by radical fundamentalists, or balkanized into a wild civil war of many competing factions. Yes, there are people there who want a western style democracy, but just how many of them are there, and can they prevail over those who would see a theocracy established, or another warlord installed? This remains to be seen.

The future of Iraq is far less certain than the "Iraq is better off without Hussein" amen chorus would have us believe. A western democracy that is kept in place by US military force? Now, that's an interesting concept!! Clearly, an Iraqi democracy that does not have acceptance of Israel as a state as part of its constitution will also not be allowed to survive, and anti-Israeli feeling is very strong in Iraq (even among Jews there).

I believe what will occur in the short run is yet another US sanctioned despot, or the "Meet the New Boss, Same as The Old Boss" scenario -- because it is easier for the US to control an authoritarian regime. How long he will remain in power will be due to the grip of control he will be able to extert.