If the U.S. bolts from Iraq — and even if we don't? — who would be most likely to aid the Iraqi Shiites in a civil war against the Sunnis, Baathists, and al—Zarqawites? Does U.S. domestic opposition to and criticism of the Iraq war push Iraq in the direction of Iran? Perhaps it would happen naturally given the situation and religious makeup of the countries.

Whatever happens, Bush will get the blame no matter the level of causation attributable to anti—war sentiment and the resultant lack of American perseverance. The fact that Iraq and Iran will have to live with each other long after we are just a faded memory was emphasized by both leaders. Even if Iraq manages to become a stable, unified entity, I doubt that it will be precisely what the Bush Administration envisions. We'll see.

It looks as though the Washington Times is thinking on the same wavelength as I.

The thought occurs to me that there already is a civil war in Iraq being conducted right under our noses. Is this killing in retaliation for last Friday's suicide bombings of the Shiite mosques in Khanaqin? Are we sure these perps are not forces we have trained and equipped? According to this BBC report,

"The gunmen arrived at the house in Baghdad's south—eastern al—Hurriya district at 0400 (0100 GMT) in 10 armoured cars similar to those used by Iraqi security services." Boy, they've been busy little Ali Babas!

Dennis Sevakis  11 23 05