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Just flew sitting next to a contractor (fmr. Army demo expert) who was on
his trip home after four years(!) doing security all over Iraq.
Fascinating perspective. His news was mostly mixed. Good news is Iraqis
are happy the Americans handed over the reigns and as such have mostly
stopped attacking us, bad news is they're just going after one another
now. His overarching message was clear, though: Iraq either needs to be
separated into three on its own, or it will tear itself into three in as
bloody a way as it can. He doesn't see a way the Sunnis and Shia can
operate successfully as one, and the Kurds just want to be left alone (and
are basically accomplishing that already). I didn't mention anything about
JRB or my resume. He just launched into this on his own.

Just one perspective. But he's seen a lot. Then we walked out as he saw his
7-year-old holding a "Welcome home" sign and held his 8-month-old for only
the second time, which was nice.

By the way, those guys make stupid money. We're all in the wrong business.

--

Alexander Snyder-Mackler
(302) 598-867