To: combjelly who wrote (382127 ) 5/16/2008 4:59:05 AM From: Joe NYC Read Replies (1) | Respond to cj,That leaves Shiastan and Loserstan(tm Elroy). So, assuming we have leadership with any brains, there will be a situation that can be managed. A unified Iraq is probably not possible. Especially one that is US positive. At least initially. We have Kurdistan in our pocket. Or, at least should. We can also lure Shiastan, but it will take time and a more, should I use the word, nuanced policy. Shiastan should be too wealthy to track with the mullahs in Iran. Sure, they will want to try it, but I doubt if they will accept second class citizenship. And that opens the option of eventually sucking Iran back into the orbit of the West. Because a Western-centric Shiastan will attract the middle and upper class Iranians. And that marginalizes the mullahs. With Iran, it all boils down to tomatoes and zucchini. Both have become central to Iranian cuisine. And both have been in short supply in recent years. Comfort food has an irrational attraction. If the ruling regime can't provide it, then there are problems. And tomatoes, in particular, are very difficult to come by in Iran. Foreign trade is an issue that can cause the ruling mullahs a lot of problems. If a Shiastan can readily get cheap tomatoes, then Iran will have their equivalent of a Boston Tea Party...
