From: Ad 

Has anyone else noticed how every one of the new ME/CA
"democracies" is in flames?

Wrt Afghanistan, fair enough, the "coalition of the willing" did
1/2 a job & then went off to iraq & is now paying for it.

Wrt Iraq, given the deep incompetencies following the removal of a
dictatorship a massive swing to anarchy & then factionalism is fairly
predictable.

However then you have Palestine & Lebanon where ...other considerations
have conspired to create near civil wars there too.

Seems like spreading democracy via the use or supply of weapons might not
be conducive to the idea of the peaceful transfer of power.

Whodathunkit?

"If you want to fight in US interests we'll arm you " while
admirably Bismarkian does appear to be the equivalent of filling a fire
truck with gasoline.

Right now the US is now looking to arm the Sunni....."tribal
elements" in their fight against AQ.

Very strong points in the short term in favour of this approach however...

A) It's not like the Iraqis appear short of small arms. B) Heavy arms
should be the sole preserve of the duly elected gov. C) They still want the
US out i.e. aiding nationalists is always a dicey idea for an occupying
force.
D) More arms in general circulation are just what Iraq needs.....(btw that
is sarcastic).
E) Were one to want an Iraq split into 3, the final 3'rd of the equation
now may acquire the means to guarantee it's "sovereignty" against
a central gov.

Adam

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