So, Terry, it looks like we agree that the infrastructure is f*cked, that there is no effective administration, that the place is hideously factionalised, that the death toll looks likely to rise inexorably and that the US looks like being bogged down for years to come with few friends in the region.
Well, apart from that, you think the Iraq adventure has been a jolly good thing, eh? America is now secure from attack, wash hands, toys away, Endex, eh? The operation was a complete success. Unfortunately the patient died.

In answer to Dickey's question, I simply don't know. Unlike you, I don't have an opinion on everything, My knowledge is finite.
I could be a smart-arse and say 'it depends' when trying to say what Iraq would be like if there had been no invasion; it depends on the sanctions, on whether or not the US engaged properly with the UN (instead of pissing on it from a great height), on Saddam's health, on the oil for food programme, on the corruption of a host of American and European parasites involved in the programme, on Ahmedinejad...on a host of things.
I really don't know.
What I do know is that the neo-cons' plans for Iraq appear to have gone well and truly awry because no twat in the administration actually thought things through beyond the military phase. Lots of enthusiasm for the bangs and bombs and things that dampen your gusset, but not a lot of thought as to consequences.
Anyway, it's nice to agree on something once in a while poppet.
Pip pip!