[akv]

IMHO, this progress is encouraging, but the catalyst was the US invasion of Iraq. There are no friends in international affairs only shared interests. AQ's goal was to foster regime change in the Middle East for the re-establishment of an Islamic Caliphate, since their fundamentalist ideology cannot survive modernity. America's response in Afghanistan while necessary to deny her enemies safe haven, has no great impact on the daily mindset of the despotic rulers of the Middle East, most think of the country as a wild backwater region.

Iraq is very different, she is historically, culturally, and strategically significant to the Middle East. By simple geography her borders are ringed by Turkey, Iran, Syria, Jordan, and our "friends" in the Kingdom of Saud. There were certainly chemical WMD, and Saddam Hussein was as evil as they come, but the US goal here was to forcefully remind the rulers of the Middle East it is better to be on Americas side in this war. We are quite capable and more importantly willing to come in, take over, implement regime change, and alter the regional balance of power to our benefit. If Iraq prospers in time, the game has changed, now all of the bordering countries and their rulers are well advised to adapt and keep their people happy, especially if it turns out there is now the example of a prosperous democracy next door.