Quote:
Originally Posted by
dhermesc 
I find it amazing that Al Qaeda was operating in every Muslin and most Christian nations on earth - except Iraq. They must not have owned a map. 
Its for the children and/or cute furry animals. |
First of all, Al Queda wasn't/isn't as ubiquitous as you think.
Secondly, Saddam Hussein didn't tolerate any power in Iraq but his own. He kept the radical Islamists and clerics killed out so they couldn't challenge his own power.
He was also a secular ruler, although he used the Muslim rhetoric when it suited him. He allowed equal education for women; he allowed liquor stores to exist openly; etc.
That's why it was ridiculous to claim he wanted to give Al Queda WMD's; he'd have been the first one they used them on.
Al Queda In Iraq is a homegrown organization, formed after our invasion and led by locals, who give lip service to Osama and his buddies and do their own thing anyway.
The Shi'ite militia groups and politically-minded Shi'ite clerics are a much bigger problem in the long run, because they have the support of their religious brethren who are sixty percent of the population.
