World War 3 in 3…..2…..1…..

A civil war in Iraq could lead to a broader conflict in the Middle East, pitting the region’s rival Islamic sects against each other, National Intelligence Director John Negroponte said in an unusually frank assessment Tuesday.

Makes me wonder if that wasn’t the plan from the beginning. Get them to start fighting eachother, and then pull out, citing concern for our troops’ safety. Sit back and watch as our enemies eviscerate eachother.

I doubt it. For one thing, I’m not convinced that this administration is that savvy. Second, the administration is way too wedded to the Oil Industry to take that kind of risk with one of the main sources of supply.

This is interesting, though: Zogby recently completed a first-ever opinion poll of troops on the ground in Iraq. The results are an uncomfortable mix to read.

For example: 72% say that we should end the War in 2006. Only one in five troops want to heed Bush call to stay “as long as they are needed.” The Majority of troops oppose use of harsh prisoner interrogation.

However — almost 85% think that the war was retaliation for Saddam’s role in 9/11.

What.

The.

Fuck.