We will leave Iraq - what then? Rolling Stone gets answers.

Sooner or later we will leave Iraq. The "Surge" is out last gasp. The right-wing propaganda outlets are pointing out that the sectarian strife seems to be going down in Baghdad some, but the Sunni car bombs aren't. We are getting more of them.

My best guess is that the Mahdi Militia has gone quiet while we are trying to pacify Baghdad, and that explains the relative sectarian quiet. But it's not the kind of "quiet" that suggests the end of the war is coming. It is the kind of "quiet" that means they are waiting us out and will reappear as soon as the U.S. pulls out. Very likely the Iraqi army soldiers who are with us to pacify Baghdad will then move over to the Mahdi Militia and the real sectarian strife will start.

The Mahdi Militia can outwait us. We can't outwait them. We don't have enough at stake to stay permanently. Sooner or later, we WILL leave. Then what?

Rolling Stone gathered a group of experts and they have addressed three scenarios.

1. BEST-CASE SCENARIO
2. MOST LIKELY SCENARIO
3. WORST-CASE SCENARIO

Go read it.

Or you might, for fun, match up three of these brief summary descriptions with the three scenarios:

• ?. Years of Ethnic Cleansing and war with Iran.
• ?. Without the U.S. military to inflame people, there will be quick partition and a strong man government.
• ?. World War III.
• ?. Civil War in Iraq and a stronger al Qaeda.
• ?. War between Shia and Sunni Middle East nations.
• ?. The Middle Class will return and create a democracy in Iraq.

The answers will be found in the article.

Comments and opinions will be welcomed. Reasons for opinions are preferred, not just quotes from experts.