The question it seems is how long it will take for complete anarchy to appear, not if. Key infrastructure probably can't/won't ever be replaced without an Iraqi knowledge base. To the strategists and backwards gazing politicians who planned the demise of five million people in Iraq, and sold the UN and the rest of the world in 2002/2003 a pack of lies, where to now? A favourable military solution seems remote for the US and its allies. A more probable outcome is the spread of anarchy throughout the entire middle east unless Donald Duck and his cronies in the White House can be impeached and/or removed.

Michaelm, why the racism against Arabs? Iraqis aren't like Syrians or Lebanese or Egyptians; they are each different, and this is not the majority who are doing the killings. Try reading Iraqi blogs, like Riverbend the female Baghdad blogger, who's outraged by the daily violence.

Why do you drag Israel into this discussion on Iraq? Iraq has about nothing in common with Hamas

Since when are the Shiites not setting off bombs and killing Americans? The good guys? Are you fucking serious?

You make a very valid point, and I agree that the kidnapping can be seen as a demonstration- but not a demonstration that the Shiites are the good guys and only did it to show how powerful they are but will only use their power for good. To think that would make you a fucking retard- just like you anonymous.

Nice to see that Professor Cole is not blaming Israel for the disgusting fratricide taking place in Iraq . And while the US is culpable for unleashing this disaster of a civil war lets put blame where it belongs; on the nihilistic society which promotes such behavior.

Now perhaps people can understand how difficult it is for the Israelis to deal with people who put so little value in human life. Having seen the real face of evil attacking the white collar Sunnis of Iraq solely because they are Sunnis, perhaps Professor Cole should apologize for all of his previous writings excoriating Israel for fighting against people who want you dead no matter what (just read the Hamas charter).

I watched the hearings, and the question remains: WHAT COULD ANY MORE AMERICAN FORCES DO IN THIS SITUATION? A nation bent on suicide is like an individual: very hard to stop.

If the Generals actually had a strategy, they would say so--even if they didn't reveal the strategy itself. Since I'm not sure we really know what American troops are doing in Iraq in the first place, it's hard to come up with a plan. And then there is the very real issue of WHETHER THERE IS ANY WAY THEIR EFFORTS CAN BE EFFECTIVE AGAINST WHAT IS GOING ON.

It has an incredible Viet Nam feel at this point, but worse, since the enmity is sectarian in nature, not simply political. The militarists are basically out of options, but as usual will never admit it. They want us to believe there is basically no problem more bombs and bomb throwers won't solve. Their dominance depends on the American people not thinking in other terms, and they've been very successfull at it since the beginning of the nation.

Will the Dems begin to look at other "non-military" solutions? Can they initiate dialogue with Iran, and the rest of the Moslem world with a real view towards peace? Will the Baker report be a bandaid, or a new approach?

It is hard to say what will happen next with folks like Charles Rangle calling for a resumption of the draft. It doesn't suggest the Dems have put on their "thinking caps," as Clinton has suggested.

We got out of Somalia, and Somalia is not in good shape. But we have forgotten Somalia, and Somalia is not a "major world trouble spot." It is not Cambodia or Rwanda.

Should we (the USA) just leave Iraq? Would the level of trouble there decrease to merely "chaotic?"

Could we send in some effective aid even if our soldiers and marines are not there?

Can't be done. Lawyers, doctors, administrators, teachers, engineers, technicians, journalists and everyone else that earns a paycheck by thinking is leaving. Iraq is like Haiti. We occupied that place for 20 years and couldn't make it a peaceful society and we won't do it in Iraq. The place will simply crumble into a low state of anarchy if we stay or go. One really has to wonder how anything gets done there. How does a city of five million get food delivered and distributed with violence such a part of everyday life? And yes, things will get even worse. How can they get any better?

This is so sad. Too sad.

Is Iraq going to become the Cambodia of this war? Is this going to be another uncontrollable fewd between the Hutus and the Tutsis? Are lives going to be flowing like water?

Cambodia. All the professors and intellectuals were rounded up. They're having real trouble developing themselves forward.

This is too awful.

A friend of mine offered up a theory this week to explain why the Shiites who were allegedly behind the mass kidnapping this past week later released most or all of them.

The theory is that by kidnapping 100+ people without violence, holding them without detection for a period of time then releasing them unharmed is a display of how strong and in control they are. Only a very powerful group with ample resources and well-connected allies in the government could pull off a stunt like the kidnapping and then both brazenly and compassionately let them go.

The message being sent is like you see in mafia movies when someone receives a photo of themselves sitting on the can or dropping their kid off at school. We're this close and we are in total control and we can choose to end things for you on a whim.

In this case they are saying, "Look, we're in charge here. We're the good guys - we're not the ones blowing up car bombs in the marketplaces. Look to us to provide safety and stability moving forward."

Any thoughts?