I do not think that there is much recruitment potential for the resistance, considering its link to the hated Ba'athist regime. Sure, things may get messy, and cause some resentment, but I think we will sort out those who are merely victims of malicious informants in the end. The Iraqis long for normality, physical security, and an end to sabotage. I do not think that they will hold some messiness against us.
I do make an assumption about the ideological motivation of the resistance (as distinct from the foreign terrorists), which is that they are deeply corrupt and mostly in it for themselves, rather than fanatical. Thus, once hope is gone for a return of Saddam, and/or a reestablishment of the regime from which they benefited, I think they will lose the will to fight.
As for the more genuine fanatics coming into the country, I think that they will be disillusioned with the efficacy of their actions, and go elsewhere to try their luck, after a number of them have died or been incarcerated. |
