>>>My point was that Iraq is a medieval society. They were before we went in and will be after we leave.
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>>Actually, they were a secular dictatorship, no better or worse than a dozen others in South America and elsewhere, that a certain north-American country propped up over decades.
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>True enough. But they are not exactly part of the modern world.

I'll agree with not modern, but medieval? Being secular is a huge step forward for the region. I think Turkey and Israel would be the only other examples in the middle east. Also having started a nuclear program puts them in the top tiers for science not only in the middle east but in the world.

< Crosses fingers hoping Mike doesn't mention the dirt brick houses we see on CNN each evening showing the requiste Marine kicking the door in >