Re: Why did the U.S. & Allies Stop Last Time? (was Time.com asks you to vote for most dangerous country

From: avatar (avatar@renegadeclothing.com.au)
Date: Sun Feb 02 2003 - 20:59:28 MST

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    > >(I'd still like to know why the last US-invasion was stopped so soon.

    Two possible partial reasons:

    1. The US plays a double game, wanting some instability but no break-up of
    Iraq into separate areas. A Kurdish State if all-inclusive would be bigger
    than Iraq in population and Turkey and the rest are dead set against it, not
    wanting to lose their Kurdish areas. The Kurds have seen empires rise and
    fall of course.

    2. The US plays a double game and doesn't want the Shiite majority to assume
    control in Iraq and link up to Iran.

    3. The US was worried about US casualties in Baghdad and elsewhere. Post
    Sept 11, this is no longer a concern. (Saddam has armed local traditional
    rulers with "light" arms.)

    Estimated US losses for 2003:

    100?
    1000?
    10000?

    Possibly equivalent to the UK in the Falklands?

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