03-30-2003, 02:16 AM
I've been thinking about it and I suppose that it isn't all that unlikely that the people of Iraq may want to adopt a government of reaction after Saddam is removed. As you mention, a similar transition happened previously in Iran, and the Taleban party came to control Afghanistan partially due to encroaching outside influences. Moreover, the majority of people in Iraq are apparently Shiite-moslem -- an oppressed religion majority.
I wonder if we will see reforms of reaction either during or after the US-administration in Iraq? That would really put our concept of democracy to the test, as I doubt many people in the west (or in the middle east) would want to see another Islamic Republic rise up. While we all may have a legitimate reason to be wary of such governments, overtly discouraging them may paint us as anti-moslem in parts of the world where that won't sail very well.
I'm not really worried about the outcome of this war -- it's really only a matter of how badly coalition soldiers and Iraqi civilians suffer in the process. The only way the US will lose is if the policy makers lose their stomach for war and make a political settlement. Although I'm not in favor of this war, I feel that now that it has begun there should not be any compromise on the outcome.
Crud, I think alot of other things about the war as well, but few of them are worth venting here.
I wonder if we will see reforms of reaction either during or after the US-administration in Iraq? That would really put our concept of democracy to the test, as I doubt many people in the west (or in the middle east) would want to see another Islamic Republic rise up. While we all may have a legitimate reason to be wary of such governments, overtly discouraging them may paint us as anti-moslem in parts of the world where that won't sail very well.
I'm not really worried about the outcome of this war -- it's really only a matter of how badly coalition soldiers and Iraqi civilians suffer in the process. The only way the US will lose is if the policy makers lose their stomach for war and make a political settlement. Although I'm not in favor of this war, I feel that now that it has begun there should not be any compromise on the outcome.
Crud, I think alot of other things about the war as well, but few of them are worth venting here.