Nation Building

Found this on the net and can't help but find it interesting...

"'The Sunnis in Iraq may make up only 20 percent of the population, but they are a skilled minority that has strategic depth among Iraq's neighbors,' the former adviser said, referring to Iraq's Sunni Arabs (but not to its Kurds, who are also Sunni Muslims). 'Support from Jordan and Saudi Arabia is a force multiplier for them.'

Iraq's Shiite leaders, who have been among the most enthusiastic supporters of the election today, have steadfastly maintained that a pluralist democracy, not Iran's theocracy, is their model for government, and Iran itself has tacitly blessed their approach. Nevertheless, the war strengthened Iran's position in the region by removing its worst enemy, Saddam Hussein, and whatever new regime takes hold in Iraq is likely to have friendly ties to Tehran.

Iran has also been making a big investment of resources in the social welfare, religious and political institutions of Iraq's Shiites. 'There is only one country that is really doing nation-building in Iraq, and it isn't the United States,' said an Arab diplomat sardonically. 'It's Iran.'"

The Great Middle East Shake-Up