Reply #3: The Main Trouble Is

[AnnieBW]

That the Shiite part of the country is rapidly becoming a mini version of Iran, complete with forcing women to wear the veil, etc. If they get full autonomy, Iran will have control over the Shatt al-Arab, which is the only seaport in Iraq. Which was what the Iran-Iraq War was all about, anyway. So, while I think it's a great idea for the Kurdish north, who seem to have their act together, the other parts are ripe for becoming Islamic Fundamentalist states, one Sunni and one Shia.