Post war Iraq

[The Rut]

If after the war Iraq does embrace democracy what will the Americans do if they elect an anti-American govenment?

[blackburne]

Bomb it, I imagine.

[Pinotage]

They'd destabilise it. Fund anti government forces, (Nicaragua, Chile), try to kill the head of government either themselves (Cuba) or by proxy (Chile),halt any aid or investment, (Vietnam, Cuba), maybe colonise it(Phillipines). They'd probably wring out of the first post-Saddam government the right to indefinite military bases (Cuba, UK) to keep a close threatening eye on them.

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Democracy is a wonderful thing as long it does what the US wants.

[woodpam]

I don't expect to see an elected government in Iraq anytime soon, the US already have an old general ready to step in and run things their way, rather than accept a neutral short term solution from the UN. I'm sure the oil will be flowing in exchange for food etc. before the US pull out of Iraq; they are probably hoping to ensure that the Iraqi people get used to a standard of living from this arrangement that they will not easily give up and therefore no future government will be able to pull out of oil sales to the west. Hopefully we will end up with a situation which benefits everyone,even if it is an imposed, rather than chosen, solution.

[map08]

I think the answer can be found in Iran, Iraq's nextdoor neighbour. After the Second World War, Iran's legitimate government began to attempt Iranian nationalism, seeking to stop its oil being exploited by foreign companies. As a result, the American government interfered, and overthrew the government (or at least assisted), apponting the Shah once more, who was suitably pro-US. So the US deliberately overthrew a legitimate government to impose a non-democratic dictator. Of course, the result was Iranian revolution in 1979, and a country that isn't too friendly towards the West. In fact, Bush referred to Iran as being 'evil' last year. So, what will happen? The US clearly wants at least relations with the new Iraq, if not influence - in twenty years time will we once again be saying 'Oops! They could have handled that better!'?