Reply #4: I think it could be won . . .

[da_chimperor]

maybe, in theory. A lot depends on how much Iraqis really do hate us, and how much credibility Al-Sistani has left with the Iraqi people. I think that if we were to completely throw away the transitional government and give control of things to ayatollah Al-Sistani and not engage in any military action without his permission, then things could change. I had a feeling that when gulf war II began that it would turn into something like it is today, and I was in favor of basically handing over thing whole country to the moderate clerics. Remember that Al-Sistani was the one who told Iraqis not to resist the Americans during the beginning of the war. The problem is that he can't be seen to be taking orders from the US military, or boom, there goes his credibility with some of the more radical sections of Iraqi society. That's what I think, but for all practical purposes I think it's impossible.