[JSDSKI]

You know, if you look at a map of the Middle East - Iran is now surrounded by countries that are effectively under US control with Syria isolated to the north. Afghanistan was just the softer target and more directly related to 9-11. US probably can't continue to use Saudi Arabia as a land base - it just provides stimulus to Wahhabi fundamentalist rebellion. Maybe Iran and its nuclear ambitions were the real targets all along. Syria is the home of Hezbollah. Hezbollah is the prime mover in terrorism.

So we move to a more "secular" state - Iraq. Of course, the reality is that there are no "secular" states in the ME - at least not as is meant in the West. But, if Iraqi elections take hold and they take over day to day policing then maybe the US military presence will be tolerated. Next thing you know, oil company's will be partners in Iraq's oil sector like they were in Arabia before OPEC.

We end up with a land base in the middle of the region that allows us to pressure / attack Syria and Iran as needed. It'll be an interesting ride.