Iraq

... a U.S.-backed Iraqi politician said an ongoing purge of members of Saddam Hussein's Baath party had pushed 28,000 Iraqis from their jobs, with a similar number expected to follow.



In the southern city of Amarah, waves of protesters -- some armed with sticks and shovels -- rushed British troops guarding the city hall, a day after clashes here killed six protesters and wounded at least 11.



With some 400.000 jobless ex-soldiers walking around hungry and angry and an unemployment rate of around 50%, is this how the occupation will end, then: a high-tech invasion followed by an old-fashioned rout ?



I hope not, this road will lead to utter anarchy.

But if the occupiers don't wake up and smell the coffee, they may be chased out of the country by huge angry masses wielding sticks and stones... and then there will be no way back.



As soon as you let it get that far, that the population revolts en masse, that's it.

End of game. Unless you are willing to massacre huge numbers and I don't think even the USA will go that far.