Mutual Interests for Baghdad and Washington

I would not trade one American life, much less the 4487 which have been "given," not one dollar, much less the over $800 Billion (that's Billions with a big "B" folks!) for the result in Iraq.

A few years from now, as Iraq denigrates into sectarian violence though majority Shiite abuse of Sunni religious minorities and abuse of ethnic minorities like the Kurds in the north (also to get control of oil in that area), others may agree.

Iran's courtship of relations with Iraq will come to light, and the Sadr Brigade's subversive influence of Shiite Malaki and others will become much more evident.

Add to the mix the enmity between Iran (Shiite) and Saudi Arabia (Sunni) and others, and we're talking continuing conflict for the foreseeabl­e future. Iran's intent to threaten the Straits of Hormuz (where most Middle Eastern oil transits) leaves no doubt of Iran's continuing "chess play" on the Middle East Board.

Weakness is no path to a solution with nationalis­tic bullies like Iran.

Iraq may be "saved" but it seems increasing­ly unlikely that Shiite majorities will share any real power (the temptation of the corruption from personal enrichment through oil money is way too strong), absent a renewed possibilit­y of another U.S. interventi­on in that already bloodthirs­ty and misbegotte­n region.

Iraq owes us $800 Billion, plus interest, and we want it...now! Our treasure of lives lost cannot be regained, but the U.S. (and the families of lost soldiers) can and should be compensate­d.
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