Reply #9: I was born in the ME [View All]

[Spiffarino]

...as an outsider as well. My family spent many years in Saudi Arabia and a few months in Iraq. The one thing my parents always said is that the Arab has a deep sense of honor and a long memory. Any way you slice it, a government that is democratic AND favorably disposed to America is a pipe dream.

I believe you are entirely correct. There will be a strongman. He may be put in place by the US or our allies in the region, or one will come from inside Iraq. Either way, democracy isn't going to rise under the current set of circumstances. Think of Maslow's Hierarchy. People are willing to give up almost anything to be secure. Democracy will flourish only when it's safe to do so.