but a word seems appropriate regarding an uptic of rough stuff in several Iraq cities. Car bombs, rockets and more seem to be thickening the mideast air just prior to the changeover of Allied occupation power to the new local Iraqi authority. It would seem that all are not pleased with the idea of self-rule; likely contestants in the "Our-Gang's-The-Gang-For-YOU" contest might be

Baathists - largely made up of those formerly in power
al-Qaida - loose group of those still getting bin-Laden-organized financing
Zarquawi - urban-based warlord
Shia Muslim militant groups - might want to even the score with Sunnis who had benefitted under Saddam
Kurdish seperatists - would rather hold out for unaligned national identity

Although it's probably obvious that in the long run it would be better not to be involved in this mass armed argument, there might be a short-run gain or two to be made as more attacks are staged: more movements can be observed, more satellite and airbore photos can be taken, more vehicles and individuals can be tracked and more cells can be taken out.

(Above to be understood in following contexts: never go in under UN auspices, never operate under "rules of engagement" and never get involved in a land war in Asia.)