I wonder how much of his "concern" is related to freedom in Iraq creating conflict in Saudi?
Yep. The Saudi's are scared to death of a Democracy in Iraq.
They just can't stand the idea of a democracy right on their doorstep. Let alone one with a Shiite majority.
Iraqi republic = end of House of Saud
Well, gee, if that turkey al-Turki wants to stop Iraq disintegrating, he could stop his various princelings from funding Zarkawi...
d.o.l.
Criminal Number 18F
Of course Iraq will fall apart.
It was destined to fall apart.
Inimical religions and races living in an artificial nation created by a former external imperial power. It was created by force, and always held together by force.
The force was removed.
And now it must fall to pieces, or be welded back together by force.
There is a low grade civil war going on, which is only made low grade by the fact only one side is fighting it.
The only way to pacify the place is the way it always has been pacified, by the Turks, then by Saddam: civil war that thins out the males of the losing side enough that they cannot effectively continue the fight.
If course the US does not want to do this. So it's just a long, slow burn, waiting for the war to come.
truely sucks when turkey would get the northern oil fields and Iran the southern oil fields and the Saudis would get Tikrit
Iraq is an artificial country put together from after WWI. There is no natural homogeneity throughout the country. There are only competing interests. There is also a civil war going on in addition to the insurgency.
My worst fear is the US leaving Iraq in a scene reminicent of helicopters lifting off from the US embassy in Saigon with people hanging off.
In large part, thanks to the Saudi oil ticks themselves.
There is no more vile nation in the whole world. They are the worst of the worst. In my darker moments I wish for Biblical destruction upon the whole place.
-ccm
"I wonder how much of his "concern" is related to freedom in Iraq creating conflict in Saudi?"
Bingo!!!
pssst, here's a secret: There are many Shia in Saudi Arabia - they are powerless, just like the Shia in Iraq were under Saddam. Democracy in Iraq is putting pressure on other countries. Now the Sunnis in Iraq are feeling the pinch, the Saudis are not liking it. One reason why Saudi Arabia was never hot for our liberation of Iraq.
The end of chaos in the middle east would mean the end of all nations but Israel. Unfortunately, that only exists in my dream world.
Well it is, what with the hurricanes one after another, traffic jams in Houston, Hitlery running for POTUS, Mother Sheehan headed for sainthood, RINO joining the Supremes, iPod Mini discontinued, and other disasters, but it all ain't nobody bidnyz but ours!
The worst case scenario of these jackels fighting amongst themselves is still better than a Nuke armed terror supporter like Saddam remaining in charge of Iraq.
Thus this warning must be placed in some perspective and it is not permissible to ignore the potential for instability Saddam not only possessed but actualized repeatedly. Ask the millions of dead Iranians, Kuwaitis and Iraqis about the "stability" in the region.
That was a period when these statesmen either looked away or down at the floor in fear of that lunatic.
I suppose, for a stable government, we should model Saudi Arabia? Ha ha.