Shiites submit draft law to divide Iraq
 

Well, we could have had this a very long time ago but why not just let it happen?

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraq's dominant Shiite political alliance has submitted to parliament a draft law governing the division of the country into autonomous regions.

Three little democratic countries...

So what's the downside to this?

It's working now for the former Yugoslavia.

There are two downsides that come to mind. The middle section has very little oil, so there may be resource-related instability. And if the Kurds get their own country, Turkey may attack them. That said, it's probably still the best solution possible, especially if agreements can be made to offset those issues.

And the Shiite south would be backed by Shiite Iran.

The upside? It's their fucking problem. Let them democratically vote it through, and we can get out. Whatever happens after that is caused by them.

Present day Iraq was formed by us Brits back in the 20's/30's by combining several hitherto automonous regions (Mesmopetania, Kurdistan and ... somewhere else..).

Reverting to seperate states along ethnic lines seems plausible, but as we as the occupying powers are obligated to ensure that each of the states will be long-term economically viable.... and there's the rub....

Warch asked the major question here in Bush links Hezbollah to Ali-Q . What would start such a breakup? Holbrook's comments suggested how it may start - as quoted here from another source:

Jay, that is one hell of a way to spell "Mesopotamia," the "land between the rivers." --Language-:cop:

Mesmeropotamia: staring at the river from the bank for prolonged periods.

ah! you are really MagieL in disguise & I claim my £5

I'd have to have a sex change and move across the country...