Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Formerly About Applied Materials -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Cary Salsberg who wrote (69980)	4/24/2003 11:15:02 AM
From: zonder	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

I don't think you answered my question. I really would be interested in what Americans on this thread think on the issue. The "democratically" elected governments will have little ability to export or import force. No real military. No control of their borders. Really? So you really think there will be a de facto occupation whereby Iraqis will not be allowed to have any military, foreign policy, or "control of borders"? Let's see how that plays out. I cannot see that scenario rendering America more lovable to Iraqis, but that is my humble opinion.

To: Cary Salsberg who wrote (69980)	4/24/2003 11:27:25 AM
From: runes	Respond to of 70976

Personally I don't see the current developments as a negative. First - what is happening now is a rush to fill a power vacuum created by the rapid collapse of Saddam's regime. It happened so fast that the US was not prepared to step in so it is allowing the indigenous authorities to assert themselves. ...IMO - far better than our own homebrewed authority that would lack credibility and be a focus for all discontent. Both inside and outside Iraq. (No, I don't believe the administration's claims that this is part of their plan). Second - at the moment the more aggressive (authoritarian) elements are making a push for a power grab. But as long as the US can maintain enough control to allow country wide democratic elections, this power grab will fail. This is because the Kurds and the Sunnis willl side with the more moderate Shia movements. That 40% combined with even a minority moderate Shia movement will control the field. ...And I suspect that the moderate Shias are probably the majority. After decades of brutal authoritarian control I suspect that most will shy away from hardline movements. The one great danger to this process would be a militia led coup. Which makes it of paramount importance that the US 1) Clear out the massive arm caches that are spread out all over the place. and 2) Reconstitute a national army under moderate control. ...OK - #2 is a tough one. Nobody said that this will be a cakewalk. Well, almost nobody.