[Pilsner]

They won't retake Bashra of course.

I wouldn't be so sure. The British took it from the Turks in 1914, then retook it, from the Iraqis, in 1940, then retook it yet again, from the Iraqis again, in 2003.

Despite all the patronizing talk a few years ago, out of the Brits, about we Colonials not knowing how to properly conduct a campaign in a manner that turns Islamic fanatics into friends and allies, the British haven't exactly covered themselves in glory in their attempts at nation building in Mesopotamia.

[Captain Kirk]

I wouldn't be so sure. The British took it from the Turks in 1914, then retook it, from the Iraqis, in 1940, then retook it yet again, from the Iraqis again, in 2003.

What you have given here is a perfect illustration of the futility of world policing.