Is US Establishing An Islamic Theocracy In Iraq?

Well, the answer to the question in the title is of course, yes. It's an almost certainity that we will see an Islamic Theocracy in Iraq. That was obvious to everyone from even before the invasion. Well, not really. Iraq was ruled by the Baath Party which was very secular, the most secular in the Arab world. It was pretty obvious that outlawing the secular party would lead to a Theocracy. Yup, just like we did for Osama Bin Lauden, the Shah of Iran, Saddam, the Taliban... Very likely. That was the most obvious likely outcome for Bush's actions. It was almost a certainity. Well, the Christian west has been screwing the Kurds since the fall of the Ottoman Empire so little change there. Fortunately, the Kurds aren't sitting on any of the known or predicted oil. Probably a whole lot less freedom, but that too is what happens when you overthrow a secular government.This message has been edited by jar, 01-02-2006 04:43 PM

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

The single biggest threat to the whole world, IMHO, for the US led invasion of Iraq, was to accelerate the proliferation of nuclear weapons and other WMDs in the most unstable reagion in the world. The most likely outcome is a band of nuclear powers stretching from Israel, through Iraq (and likely by gift including Syria), Iran, Pakistan, India and on to China.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

First, our involvement in Vietnam (post WWII) began under the Eisenhower administration. As one of the conditions of the treaties signed after WWII, France was obligated to get out of French Indochina and return it to Vietnamese rule. France refused to do so, and the issue was comparitively small seen in the light of what was happening in Europe and the South China Seas (Quemoy and Matsu). France, in rebuilding after the destruction of WWII needed the resources, particularly the rubber, found in the Michelin holdings. Eisenhower ignored their flagrant treaty violations.At the time, Ho Chi Min apporached the US with the request that Vietnam be granted the status of a US Protectorate like the Philippines. He was turned down and after the fiasco at Dien Bien Phu, the French retreated. The US supported the installation of one of the WWII warlords as President.The comparison with Korea is even more interesting. It might be possible to compare it to GHB's invasion of Iraq after Iraq invaded Kuwait. The biggest difference between that incident and Korea, is that Iraq had recieved the tacit approval from the Bush administration to invade Kuwait through Ambassador Glaspie. There is no similarity between Korea and the second Iraq invasion. Korea was a police action, called for and sanctioned by the UN. It was the result of one nation, North Korea, invading another soveriegn nation, South Korea.This message has been edited by jar, 01-04-2006 11:57 AM

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

No problem Buz. All I wanted to do was correct the misstatements in your post. I've done that. The record stands. I simply wanted to make it clear that your assertion that Kennedy started our involvement in Vietnam was incorrect and that there is no possible comparision between either the latest Gulf War or the previous Gulf War with Truman's involvement in the Korean Conflict.When you insert misstatements of fact, even if only through ignorance, I would hope you would would like them corrected. Now, the next time someone brings up inaccurate comparisons such as the Vietnam War or comparing the Iraq invasion with Korea, you will be in a position to respond, "That's simply wrong."

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Yes, Ambassador Glaspe is a work of ART. Like her Master James Baker, she directly lead Sadaam to think he had full US approval for his invasion of Kuwait. Of course, James Baker is another Texas oil man, lawyer and lobbiest. The significant part of that transcript has to do with who wants the price of oil kept high.She says... That can be done either by controling the oil itself, disrupting the political structure in the area or influencing the overall supply. It's significant that not only are we creating conflict in the area but that the newest pipeline from the area happens to run through Afghanistan, where negotiations with the Taliban were breaking down.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

Iraq is still in the process of becoming a Nation. Right now it is still an occupied territory in a state of disarry. It does have a Constitution and is in the process of creating a government, but no one knows what the final outcome will be.Over the next quarter century or so we'll find out whether or not Iraq becomes a Theocracy. They can be democratic-republics as well you know, Israel is a good example.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

No, not really. The first commandment does not preclude other gods, it only says that they cannot be superior to the Judaic one. It's an interesting subject and I'd love to see a discussion on it, but it's really OT here. Maybe a PNT?

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion