No time to bluff about Iraq
Wes Heinkel
Issue date: 8/24/07 Section: Opinion
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There is already a civil war, but our troop presence dramatically reduces its intensity. At full intensity, the civil war casualties would probably double the current death toll in less time. And if you think the death toll is bad now, just wait until we leave. We could be talking about a situation mirroring that of Darfur.
This is all theoretical, of course, but the latter would probably spread throughout the region in which Iran, who could have weapons of mass destruction by then, will continue its opportunism and promote its interests by backing the Shi'a majority. Arab Sunni states will back Arab Sunnis, perhaps forcing an arms race and engagement from Saudi Arabia or Turkey or whoever wants to play the game in the region. It only gets worse.
If a regional war spreads like napalm throughout the region, oil prices would skyrocket due to strategic strikes on a number of different oil production facilities in any of the Middle Eastern countries engaged in the conflict.
Some speak of global suffering, especially to the poor and any person or country that is financially teetering. We will feel it here, too, in the richest country in the free world; it's just simple economics - low supply, higher prices. You (the intelligent reader) and I both know that if all this madness becomes real and not theoretical, we will be forced to re-enter the conflict with worse options than we have now.
Forget the pocket pair; we will be looking at a seven-deuce off suit with fewer chips and more players at the table. You do the math.
This is all theoretical, of course, but the latter would probably spread throughout the region in which Iran, who could have weapons of mass destruction by then, will continue its opportunism and promote its interests by backing the Shi'a majority. Arab Sunni states will back Arab Sunnis, perhaps forcing an arms race and engagement from Saudi Arabia or Turkey or whoever wants to play the game in the region. It only gets worse.
If a regional war spreads like napalm throughout the region, oil prices would skyrocket due to strategic strikes on a number of different oil production facilities in any of the Middle Eastern countries engaged in the conflict.
Some speak of global suffering, especially to the poor and any person or country that is financially teetering. We will feel it here, too, in the richest country in the free world; it's just simple economics - low supply, higher prices. You (the intelligent reader) and I both know that if all this madness becomes real and not theoretical, we will be forced to re-enter the conflict with worse options than we have now.
Forget the pocket pair; we will be looking at a seven-deuce off suit with fewer chips and more players at the table. You do the math.
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