"Eventually you'll have to learn that there is a huge difference between al-Qaeda and the vast majority of Iraqi Sunnis--and the conduct of the former is making the gap a chasm." - Ron Davies

You mean something like could have been stated by an observer in May 1941 -

Eventually you'll have to learn that there is a huge difference between the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom of great Britain --and the conduct of the former is making the gap a chasm.

But what happened Ron - Operation Barberossa - Germany attacked Russia and all of a sudden The UK & the USSR were allies.

Troops out now = Civil War in Iraq

Civil War in Iraq would be a confrontation primarily between Sunni Arab and Shiia Arab, with the Kurds possibly remaining on the sidelines. It was under those circumstances that Saudi Arabia stated that they would aid the Sunni Arabs in Iraq and outnumbered, as they would undoubtedly be in this civil war, like the UK in 1941, I do not believe that they would give a toss about who jumped in to help them.

By the bye Ron, you never did give me a time reference for "Al-Qaeda taking over Iraq" - Immediately? Short Term (5 - 10 years)? Long Term (10 - 20 years)?

"Iran has very good, defensive reasons to want to control the Persian Gulf" - Dianavan.

She most certainly has Dianavan, but if you believe that oil is expensive now, just wait until Iran controls the Persian Gulf.