By: Brian H- July 23, 2007 Steinberg; Wotta maroon. Bought into every single line of rationalization for terror every splinter group and militia has issued. Must be horribly "kinetic" in your brain. As for Anbar; Has no-one been following the news Projected reserves in Anbar now stand at 100 bn bbl. Yes, you read right. That makes for 100215 of the new Iraqi projected + proven reserves total. The Anbar Sunni are therefore 3X oil-richer per capita than the ROI. Changes a few of the calculations and scenarios, doesn't it...http://austinbay.net/blog/?p=1828#comment-950764 By: Rip Rowan- July 21, 2007 Hats off to Gunther Steinberg for his comment in free verse. As imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I will comment likewise: I fear not proposition 2 for it is as Rob Mandel has stated - an eloquent reminder to the whole world that we (the US) are not the enemy of the Muslim, ...nor is Israel... but, rather, let it be repeated again: it is truly the Muslim who is the enemy of the Muslim.http://austinbay.net/blog/?p=1828#comment-948751 By: Steve- July 20, 2007 Great site! Would you consider a link exchange to the Internet Radio Network. At the IRN you can listen to over 27 of America's top Talk Shows via FREE STREAMING AUDIO! http:netradionetwork.comhttp://austinbay.net/blog/?p=1828#comment-947812 By: david- July 15, 2007 The interesting aspect of reading these comments is that the consequences of the actions we take today are thought about by public but rarely discussed in detail by the MSM and much of our leadership. Austin's 7 scenarios are part of an upcoming project that applies context to issues and events in the political and world affairs arena. These comments are a good evaluating tool for these scenarios. Some very good observations made here. David Robisonhttp://austinbay.net/blog/?p=1828#comment-942008 By: rpl- July 15, 2007 Dear Col. Bay: I used to love these types of projections when you and Mr. Dunnigan would put them in the "How to Make War" books that you would write. Is there any prospect of putting this type of scenario analysis, with the attendant probablities, on StrategyPage When I suggested this a while ago, it seemed that this was too expensive, but this might be added as a "for pay" feature. ED NOTE: There is a chance Jim Dunnigan and I will do a few of these "projections" next year for StrategyPage...http://austinbay.net/blog/?p=1828#comment-941818 By: Mark F- July 15, 2007 Religion often gets in the way of politics and in some countries totaly dominates it. Option 7 would be a surprise to the whole world and probably the only option I would put money on that it would not happen. I think religion will determine the final outcone, whether extremist or general I do not know, but if we dont pu;; out soon, my children will be discussing the same things in their blogs. Markhttp://austinbay.net/blog/?p=1828#comment-941777 By: davod- July 14, 2007 I do not know if the Iranian people have the stomach, or the resources, for a full blown war.http://austinbay.net/blog/?p=1828#comment-940163 By: Virtual Fret Noise- July 14, 2007 Then what Reasonable folks can have different opinions about whether the invasion of Iraq was the right thing to do in 2003. This is of interest only to historians. Reasonable folks can have different opinions about whether the Iraqi military and police shouldhttp://austinbay.net/blog/?p=1828#comment-940003 By: Jerry- July 13, 2007 If the US abandons Iraq, either 1) under Bush declaring a phony 'victory' and leaving or 2) the House voting to cut off funds or 3) in early 2009 under Hillary or Obama simply pulling out, Iran will be the one to gain the most. They will control the Iraqi Shi'a with money, arms and Islamic Shi'a fraternity and always the possibility of force. No need to rile the Arab Shi'a with their Persian presence. Surely they can create a pro-Iranian armed faction or even a puppet Arab Shiite (al...http://austinbay.net/blog/?p=1828#comment-939064 By: John Galt- July 13, 2007 Steve: "Sunnistan, small, abused, the palestinians of the region, always looking for patrons, always in turmoil, always used by others, a violent ghetto writ large. " Interesting comparison to the Palestinians - in this case, instead of feeling "abused" (not to say they actually are, merely perceptions) by the Israelis, they are actually being abused by the Shias, so blaming the West gets less traction than in the IsraeliPalestinian conflict. I wonder what Al Queda's and Saudi Arabia's response.http://austinbay.net/blog/?p=1828#comment-939008 |