Note to American Voters: There is no escape!

[AuH2O]

Well, the jihadists are winning. They already were, mind you. Democrats won't make that much difference one way or another... the issue is just a jumbled foreign policy that essentially results from the inherent structure of the international system.

Foreign policy is often more about internal politics than anything else.

[AuH2O]

The "civil war" in Iraq can only go on so long, because the Sunnis are getting wiped out. Millions have fled the country and lots of more are dying in retaliation for Sunni terror attacks. They were a fairly small minority to begin with.

In theory that puts Iran in a position to pull the strings in Iraq, except Iraqi Shia hate Iran, just less than the Sunnis do. But there will be conflict within the Shia community with regard to the position of Iran in Iraqi politics.

In any case, with Iran dominating the region, and Pakistan constantly threatened by radical Islamic takeover, it's only a matter of time before nuclear weapons are transferred to terrorist groups. My guess is that we have about 20 years before multiple Western cities go up in flames.