[Vision2020] Nationalism In Iraq

[Ted Moffett]

Luminaries:

One factor in the Iraq war that seems to be underestimated is good old 
fashioned nationalism among the people in Iraq.  Even among citizens in Iraq 
who hate Saddam, there may be strong emotions of nationalism that will 
inspire fierce violent resistance to the invasion and occupation of THEIR 
country by the US.  If this is the case, the US could face continuing 
attacks in Iraq that will sabotage our efforts to stabilize the country, 
even if we "win" the war.  The hatred and opposition to the US in most of 
the middle east, coupled with religious issues of a perceived attack on 
Islam, could also lead to an influx of fighters from other countries willing 
to aid Iraq in an endless "guerilla" style urban battle in the cities of 
Iraq.

Regardless of the moral or political right or wrong of the US war on Iraq, 
are we trying to impose our will on a country that will resist this invasion 
so relentlessly that the US will get bogged down in a messy drawn out 
military occupation with no reasonable political solution?

Ted



_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE*  
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus