Foreign Policy magazine has a series of articles that address the question...what institutions, countries, ideas, or individuals are better off because of the war? Who, in essence, are Iraq’s winners?
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The top 10 winners:
1. Iran - After nearly 25 years of wrestling with Saddam Hussein, Iran’s Shiite rulers have the war to thank for their newfound power.
2. Moqtada al Sadr- How a radical Shiite cleric became the most powerful man in Iraq.
3. al Queda - The terrorist network was on life support after September 11—until a new front opened in Baghdad and revived its mission.
4. Samuel Huntington - The man who envisioned a clash of civilizations looks more prescient than ever.
5. China - The United States’ missteps in Iraq have given a rising superpower in the East room to grow.
6. Arab dictators - The Middle East’s strongmen were under pressure to reform. Now, they rest easy.
7. The price of oil - The war in Iraq triggered record oil prices, and the region’s petrostates will enjoy the windfall for years to come.
8. The United Nations - Suddenly, the global body’s brand of multilateral diplomacy doesn't look so bad.
9. Old Europe - Four years on, Europe’s naysayers are looking wise beyond their years. But can they do any more than sit back and gloat?
10. Israel - The war in Iraq eliminated several of Israel’s biggest enemies—even if it made a few new ones along the way.
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The US?...sadly, after $1/2 trillion and 3,000+ lives, what have we won?
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I am encouraged regarding this new initiative undertaken by the administration to strengthen US diplomacy in the region through talks with Iran & Syria.
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I too am encouraged by the newfound willingness to engage in diplomacy. However,without involving the other powers in the region that have the confidence of the Iraqi Sunnis (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan) to balance the perceived (and defacto) tilt of Iran towards the Shiaa majority), the Sunni leaders (and insurgents) in Iraq are not likely to buy into it..