In other words, if a stable democracy develops in Iraq, we win.

what will _you_ (you mean the USA, I suppose) win?

And if
civil war between the two major sects of Islam rages on
indefinitely...we still win.

again: what will _you_ (the USA) win?

In scenario #1, we have created a stable and friendly government in a
critical area of the world. In other words, peace has been achieved.

In scenario #2, we have diverted the enemy's attention inward, so that
they are devoting resources to killing each other rather than us. In
other words, peace (from our end) has been achieved.

In either scenario, we have helped to assure a consistent supply of oil
for the world's economy.

From the point of view of the US, neither scenario is optimal, and both
carry grave risks -- that "stable democracy" could elect themselves a
tyrranical radical mullah as president, for example -- but that never
changes. The world is a dangerous place.

And now, back to North Korea: For those who may need more reasons,
this is a pretty good summation of why we need to be worried about
them: http://tinyurl.com/n3nfp
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"