I'd like to know what that grave threat would comprise.

I bet I'm not alone.

well let's see, they have:
no military
economy in shambles
very little electricity or water
food is scarce
3 civil wars going on
politically and in in reality their fledgling govt is useless

Yet this is a threat to the biggest military nation on the planet and the rest of the world? I'd like to try some of those drugs McCain is doing, bet they are real good.

I'll tell you.

US leaves.
Iran moves its influence in.
Iraq disintegrates into civil war.
Al Qaeda returns.
Saudi Arabia and Syria supports Sunni's. Iran supports Shi'ite.
Turkey and the Northern Kurds fight some more.

It might end there, or it might not. We're already talking about 4 different countries (and one terrorist organization) fighting in Iraq though. I would consider Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Iran part of the world, so McCain's statement is factually correct.

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I don't need share my thought on this matter, WEB has already said it.

Actually considering the history of the Iraqi People I would say the following would be likely to happen.

The Sunnis and Shia come to terms with each other and overthrow the existing government and replace it with a theocracy.

The Iraqis oust any terrorists from the country (they've always hated terrorists anyway).

The Kurds attempt to rebel but the Iraqi government sends troops to put down their rebellion. Turkey comes to the Iraqi government's aid to supress the Kurds.

The Iraqi People get water, electricity and gasoline.

Iran establishes diplomatic relations with the new government.

The US refused to establish diplomatic relations with the new government.

But, of course, most of this is simply based upon an understanding of the real situation in Iraq and the Iraqi people.

the civil wars are already happening

Al Queada is still there, at least the Bush admin and news media keeps saying it is

and despite all this it does not pose a threat to the whole world or the US in any way shape or fashion

do they have blue water navies and military bases from which to project military power? no

do they have allies with these capabilities? no

do they have ballistic missiles capable of traveling 10,000 miles? no

do they have the military power to conquer and occupy their neighbors country's? no

so this threat is what exactly? other than adding some risk price to the price of oil they have nothing, they could shut down the straits of hormuz briefly but we all know that wouldn't last long

Iran's fuel supply can be cut in a matter of hours or minutes, they have nothing.

so realistically this threat is what?

prettymuch

to me the only thing I see really throwing a wrench into that is how Saudi Arabia reacts, they are a bit of a wild card in this methinks and so far the US has not shown it displeasure in public about the Saudi's helping the insurgency

The civil war is already happening, but would get worse exponentially.

Al Qaeda is there and they would be there in even greater numbers.

It does pose a threat to the whole world and the US is containing it, we won't be containing it, if we choose to leave.

Was 9/11 done by a blue water navy?

Was 9/11 done by ballistic missiles?

Iran may have the power to ethnically cleanse the Sunni and thus be a sattelite for Iran. That's pretty close to "conquering."

The threat has already been explained, and if you want to know the answer then read the answer when given to you. Don't read the answer and then ask what is the answer? That's dishonest. The threat is that there would be a regional conflict involving 5 different countries and one terrorist group. Even Lebanon might become involved (making it 6 countries and one terrorist group). This could also affect oil prices.

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so there's no "grave" threat, thanks for clarifying that

Al Queada does have safe haven in several countries and this has been going on for years. We can thank the US for turning Iraq into the kind of country where Al Queda is quite comfortable operating, as much as the natives will allow anyway.

Iraq becoming an Iran satellite isn't threatening, in fact an over extension on their own part. Iran is going thru its own turmoil at the moment, give it a few years and they will implode on their own. Besides, I doubt Iraq would end up being one piece, more likely several small pieces, so Iran might get a chunk, so what.

problem with trying to use 9/11 as an excuse is A) the reaction by the US afterwards doesn't support it B) the scale was puny C) the US has already shown how it deals with its own disasters, basically it doesn't give a shit

Know yourself and know your enemies, Iran can be shut down very very quickly without even firing a shot, its so easy I cannot believe people don't talk it about it. Surely someone here knows?

You're lying. I never said there was no grave threat from us leaving Iraq. Al Qaeda is an enemy of the United States and their position in Iraq would be strengthened if we left.

Blaming past actions does not tell us what to do now.

It could be very threatening. Iran is our national enemy. Them getting Iraq would make them much more influential as far oil is concerned. We could lose our supplies from Iraq, and that would make gas prices rise even higher.

Also, it's just completely reckless how you just say that Iran will implode. It seems like something you just made up, and we're supposed to base our foreign policy on a completely random and reckless idea you've come up with? I don't think so.

Problem with criticizing the past is that it is utterly useless as the sole means of determining future policies.

If you have something to say about Iran, then say it. If not then, just be silent about the matter. This little teasing you're doing here is very immature.


WEB

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Formerly W.E.B. Du Bois (you can still call me "WEB")

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