"the alternative does not really bear thinking about."

Ah, but it HAS to be thought about... eventually.

Yep - that's the same narrow minded red necked ball clanking dickheadedness that got the Iraq mess started in the first place... but, like in Vietnam, "the alternative" is now par for the course - just how much Trade does the US (and the "Allies of the willing in that conflict") now have with Vietnam (oh, and it's "backer of Terror" - China)?   ;-)

The same will eventually happen with whatever sort of rubble is left in Iraq too...