Iraq: Divide And Or Conquer

Allah's post on Iraq leads in two possible directions. One suggests Red on Red fighting could open up a wedge for the US to exploit, the other deals with the notion of partitioning Iraq. Partioning might be a temporary fix but it's hard to understand how it wouldn't lead to another war not too far down the road.

If we assume that secular democracy is something the theocrats abhor, why would they accept one existing on their border? Now, that doesn't mean that a partion might not be a wise point for pause. But we'd better be prepared for what would likely follow - a war between the very partions we imposed.

See what you think. For now, it's probably best to take advantage of any al-qaeda vs. Sunni insurgent rifts we can, but keep the partition option open if we don't see enough reduction in violence by Fall.

Comments

[Phoenix]

"If we assume that secular democracy is something the theocrats abhor, why would they accept one existing on their border?"

I might argue the philosophy behind this, but one thing they would abhor is that the secular democracy would flourish and show them up for their theocratic/autocratic warrants against progress. I think that's part of The Bush Doctrine's philosophy - establish a democracy open to capitalism, free trade, progress, and every surrounding country watches and wishes. Then they implode. Freedom and liberty work. Oh...and greed is good.