Though technically a democracy, Iraq's floundering government has degenerated into a tottering quasi-dictatorship. The costs of the war (more than $800 billion) and reconstruction (more than $50 billion) have been staggeringly high. And while Iraq is finally producing oil at pre-war levels, it is trying its best to drive oil prices as high as possible.
Most disturbing to many American foreign policy experts, however, is Iraq's extremely close relationship with Iran. Today, the country that was formerly Iran's deadliest rival is its strongest ally.
And here we see the consequences of neo-con ignorance and the incompetence of the Bush Administration.
At the end of the First Gulf War GHWB was wise enough to understand that by leaving the Saddam regime in place, it would safeguard against an alliance among the Shiites in Southern Iraq, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Iran. With the fundamental Sunni power structure still in place in Baghdad, these three Shiite-dominated regions would remain more difficult for Tehran to influence.
And with the establishment of the NFZs, Saddam posed no threat to his people or neighbors.
Indeed, the NFZs proved to be so effective that President Clinton was just as wise to leave them in place. Although the solution was not perfect, given the complex and Byzantine nature of the ME, it kept Iran relatively isolated and Americas allies in the region a little more secure.
Until Bush 41s idiot son came along and destroyed his fathers good work.
