>>So, there is only one ideal launching pad for an invasion of Iraq. It's the same one as in 1991: Saudi Arabia.
...There is only one little problem. Saudi Arabia would almost certainly refuse America permission to use its soil to launch an invasion, just as the royal family has not allowed the U.S. Air Force to attack Afghanistan from U.S. airfields in the kingdom. (The Saudis were one of only three countries to recognize the Taliban regime.)"<<
Attacking Saddam from Saudi would be best, I think. So what do you think about Sen. Levin's call for us to get out of Saudi? But, things are very volatile in the Mid East. Iran's reformers are making vast progress against the Ayatollah. We could launch from there, possibly. And it has been revealed that the Saudi's were in a panic recently from al Qaeda, so I think Saudi will not be against it.
>> So that's at least three new states that could emerge from a disintergrating Iraq: Kurdistan, Turkmen, and the Shiites in the south... as well as 'border adjustments' such as Turkey grabbing northern oil fields<<
That is assuming we invade Iraq, which will not happen immediately. They may even allow the UN inspectors back in. But, it is nice to have a plan. The big thing is, this is the wealthiest country in the world, in terms of natural resources. Divvying it up will not be an easy exercise, if it needs to be done. It is up to Saddam.
>> And, regarding the American conquest and administration of Saudi Arabia ("Saudi America"?):
"If the United States isn't willing to be ruthless enough to rule an empire, then perhaps it should restrict itself to rooting out bin Laden and the Taliban rather than planning an empire for which it doesn't have the stomach."
>>> Interesting series of speculations... and it seems to lead to the logical conclusion that we're not going to be attacking any large nation-states.
<<
That is assuming that Saddam doesn't let in inspectors, that the only attack on him can be launched from Saudi, and that Saudi will not let us attack from there.
With Senators like Levin, these scenarios will happen.
But, with Bush, I believe that Saudi will go along, just like Pakistan has, and now Turkey.
But, remember, this is still a long ways off, with regards to Iraq. Right now, we are making the right moves, going after terrorists in the Philippines.
U.S. Troops Set Up Camp On Philippine Rebel Isle
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