I declare Jihad on this thread.

In the last year I have been working out of the Al Anbar province of Iraq. A large part of the west is now somewhat peaceful compared to what it was a few years before. The reason is that the local population that had helped the AQI turned against them. The "radical" Muslims were imposing their version of Islam and the Sunni people got fed up with them. Flat out kicked them out. And that was a good thing for the Marines as they desperately needed the help. Now the people in the west are fighting corruption within their own government and unfortunately it is at all levels. I feel very sure that AQI will never get another foothold in this area ever again. The Kurds in the north are just doing what they do. In the south Iran has a big influence as they do in Baghdad.

Now on to Iran.....they are truly the bad guys in the scenario. I feel that the entire middle east will remain sitting on the fence until there is one clear victor in this conflict. All eyes are waiting to see how the US vs Iran conflict will play out. If you thought that in your lifetime you would not see nukes fired in anger....give it a few more years. Unless there is a 180 turn with the regime in Iran, all I can say is we ain't seen nothing yet.