Has this stabilized Iraq or has it turned into a "holy war" ?

[kentuck]

It is not just Iraq that America has to worry about - it is the entire Arab world. This capture of Saddam will turn much of the Arab world against us. They will turn this into a Holy War against our country. Power and intimidation cannot win any war. To win the war, one must win the hearts and minds. I fear that the public display of a captured Saddam may have the exact opposite effect.

The attacks on America may not happen in Iraq, as the Bush cabul think, but in other Arab nations that have been friendly to us in the past. American interests will be attacked in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and even Jordan, because of the way this has been handled. In our misguided efforts to stabilize Iraq, we may destabilize the rest of the Middle East.

[ferg]

1. I don't think the Arab world liked Saddam

So, I disagree with that part of your analysis. I doubt Saddam's capture affects anyone's opinion at all. It would probably be a plus.

The problem is, the US no longer has Saddam as an excuse for the occupation.

If Bush continues the Halliburton occupation instead of trying to get us out as quickly as possible, then the Arab world will see the invasion and occupation as a Christian crusade against them.

Especially since Rumsfeld has the Israelis training US assassination teams.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. I don't think that mainstream America has figured out that

Saddaam's evil streak also kept the fanatically religious Sunni's in Iraq from conspiring with the fanatically religious Sunni's in Iran.
But, hey, when it comes to keeping religious fanatics in check, who are we to criticize?

[KFC]

3. No - he is exposed as a loser

Arabs and Muslims do not act as a pack. Saddam has been humiliated. I'm sure the "Arabs" will see him as the piece of shit that he is. They are not stupid.

This is a very good thing.

I find it funny that some DUers are trying so hard to spin this into bad news.

[arewethereyet]

4. Like the other, Hussein makes no difference to Islamics

they feared/respected him but their so-called religeous bickering was already in motion and I don't see any signs of this changing as a result.

It should take the snap out of Baathist shorts, this could render it more difficult for Alqueda to operate so yes I do think things get somewhat better. Hardly over but a corner has been turned.

[Minstrel Boy]

5. Iraqis were bedeviled by two tyrants, Saddam and Bush.

With one taken out of the picture, are they likely to roll over for the other?

On the contrary: with the risk of Saddam's return lifted, I expect Shiite patience to soon be expended.

[dpibel]

6. Precisely -- Two diametric possibilities

This is just addressed to the situation in Iraq. I don't much buy the "hordes pouring across the border to fight the infidels" scenario. I've heard it a lot from the regime; I've just never seen any evidence of it.

Seems to me that there are two main possibilities for the effect of the capture of Saddam Hussein. Both are predicated on the assumption that the lurking presence of the guy, and the possibility of his return to power, has had a damping effect on the actions of some factions of the Iraqi people.

The administration picture is this: The vast majority of Iraqis have desparately wanted to help their liberators, but were afraid to do so because Hussein might regain power and punish them as collaborators. Now that he's out of the picture, the cheering and flowers may convince.

The other possibility is that potentially warring factions have held their peace until they found out what was going to happen to Hussein. The Shias could hang tough in case he came back and restored them to power. The Sunnis and Kurds didn't want to do anything for fear. But now that he's gone, it's time to divvy up the power, or fight over it.

Unfortunately, there's an obstacle to that, in the form of the American military.

If the latter scenario is correct, I expect things to get really ugly pretty quickly.

As for the flowers 'n cheers scenario: the Bushists have, so far, been unerringly wrong in their evaluations. I see no reason to think that their inerrant errancy will suddenly change.

[kentuck]

7. Very possible scenario..dpibel

It's time to split up the spoils and they have no plans on giving it all to George W Bush....

[izzie]

8. I do not think the Arab world will take it kindly how we treated him on TV

It was not our best show to put this broken old man on TV with a doctor going over him. Bad form.We never did this with Hilter's people. We had some class then. Weak people do these things not stong people with some class.

[w4rma]

9. I don't know, but I think the capture will clear up some static. (n/t)

[goodhue]

10. not sure

but its time to bring our troops home now!
http://www.bringthemhomenow.org/