Be careful what you wish for: Iraq now heading the way of Iran

George Bush and Company thought they were so clever -- just hold elections and, Volia!,Iraq becomes a free and democratic country. Not so fast. From Iraq Winners Allied With Iran Are the Opposite of U.S. Vision:

When the Bush administration decided to invade Iraq two years ago, it envisioned a quick handover to handpicked allies in a secular government that would be the antithesis of Iran's theocracy -- potentially even a foil to Tehran's regional ambitions.

But, in one of the greatest ironies of the U.S. intervention, Iraqis instead went to the polls and elected a government with a strong religious base -- and very close ties to the Islamic republic next door. It is the last thing the administration expected from its costly Iraq policy -- $300 billion and counting, U.S. and regional analysts say.

Tag: Iraq