So what DO we do in Iraq?

[USNA69]

Why have so many terrorists found their way to Iraq? How important is Iraq to terrorist organizations? Why is it more important for them to fight there than on our own soil?

Terrorism is a war of opportunities, using available resources. Maximum exposure and effect for them right now is to destroy our efforts in Iraq. Also Iraq is literally a recruiting poster for insurgents. With minimum efforts, insurgents are flocking to Iraq to be a part of this war. Al Queda is simply taking advantage of this.

What would the consequences be of Iraq becoming a democracy of some kind? Are THEY worried about that outcome?

I don't think anyone, including our President, still believes Iraq will become a democracy. I think they are truly fighting only to put a black mark on US resolve, to beat us soundly. To keep Western idealogy out of the Middle East.

If you were running Al Queda, how much of your resources would you devote to Iraq? If the US pulled out, how would you redeploy your resources?!

All of it, unless a "target of opportunity" shows up in Europe or the US with imbedded terrorists already in place to carry out the attack. If we pulled out, which we cannot, Al Queda would remain in Iraq, forcing it to return to it's traditional Islamic culture.