How long will it be before Iraq tosses democracy and reverts back to authoritarian rule?

Examples of countries which did not revert back, Japan and Germany. We spent tons of money to rebuild them.

If we don't exhaust our resources by supporting Iraq, it won't be long before they revert back to their own culture. They were given a British style government in the 1900's and it didn't work for them. Democracy is not in tune with their culture.

JD is correct, but he is forgetting about Turkey, probably the most successful Islamic democracy. The problem with Iraq is that there are too many outside influences. There is the Iranians (Shia), the Saudis (Sunni) and the Syrians all trying to get a piece. Forget about the Kurds because they just want to be left alone. if the Shia and Sunni in Iraq decide that they can live together...even if it is on opposite sides of the rivers, then it won't revert. Remember that it took the US more than 13 (1776 -1789) years to settle its differences among the colonies AFTER the revolution and we generally liked each other back then. Some wanted to go totalitarian and make Washington a king instead of a President.

The minute we are no longer in the Middle East, the mainstream Muslims are going to reestablish Sharia law.

well we pull out dec 31 2011. my guess is by tend of january 2012. they can't function efficiently without a dictator. we helped put saddam in power. we took him out. we'll put the next government into power after this one fails too. unless our country goes BK before then.