Post-war 'occupation' of Iraq could result in chaos

The actual war, for all its expected blood and sorrow, could prove to be the easy part.

Keeping a post-war Iraq glued together - shaping the country into a federation that can live peacefully within its borders and with its neighbors - might well be the more difficult and costly mission for the United States

With so many armed groups with rival agendas competing over these rich spoils, a quick and proud exit by U.S. troops following a successful military campaign may be a faint hope, no matter how grateful the Iraqi people are to be free of Saddam.