Reply #: They would want a stable middle east

[RafterMan]

They just wouldn't act on that. And if they did act they wouldn't sustain it.

Let me reverse the question -- why would the insurgents, having knocked the superpower out of the game, meekly submit to European occupation that has the same aim of securing the oil fields for foreigners? And how would the European populace react to suicide bombers blowing up their guys?

Even if a significant chunk of the Iraqi populace would be willing to give it a shot with different uniforms, there is no reason the hard-core insurgents can't repeat the same process they did with the Americans and drive the same wedge between the parties.

It was a good idea a year or so ago, but now it's mostly wishful thinking.