The feedback in the discussion here is greatly appreciated as Michael said previously.

I do feel compelled to respond to the assertion that, while we state that we (US) cannot solve the Arab-Palestinian crisis that (misinterpretted in here) we zare percieved as furthering a position that we (US) can solve the Sunni-Shi'a-Kurd blood feuds in Iraq. We absolutey do not assert nor believe this.

What we believe is quite simply this: The relationship of the Israeli-Palestinian issue to the Iraq conflict is ancillary. Solving it will not stop Shi'a attacks and Sunni reprisals or Visa Versa. Therefore, specifically WRT Iraq policy, this is energy and effort wasted with false expectations.

We also believe that, just as we (US) cannot solve or resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we have even less influence on the Shi'a-Sunni religeously-based conflict that predates the Israeli conflict by centuries.

But...what we can do is stem this conflict's existence from being used by outside forces (Iran, AQAM) to motivate and propel recruitment and increased attacks that are designed more to create chaos and weaken the Iraqi gov't than settle or resolve the religious conflict being used as the front.

By blocking/disuading Iran effectively (rather than pretend it isn't happening) and agressively rooting out the AQAM in Ramadi and elsewhere with the effectiveness of Fallujah, the Sunni-Shia conflict subsides (not gets solved) to a point where the Iraqi gov't has at least a fighting chance at approaching reconciliation rather than fragmentation, migration and clensing...which is in no one's interest.

Forgive the brevity of this response. I simply reject the misinterpretation that we, the authors, believe that the US can solve the Sunni-Shi'a historical religious conflict. Not so. But we can stop its useage as a weapon by rooting out the groups that see fit to do so.