Interesting analysis of previous 'liberations' and why foreign armies are not universally welcomed - surprise surprise, even if you live under an evil dictator.

Outsiders are suspect. As one captured Soviet official told German interrogators during World War II: "We have badly mistreated our people; in fact so bad that it was almost impossible to treat them worse. You Germans have managed to do that. In the long term, the people will choose between the two tyrants the one who speaks their language. Therefore, we will win the war."

To me, the Iraqis living under dictatorship and now caught in its violent overthrow appear less puzzling than Americans who talk of building democracies in the Arab world while disparaging government institutions, taxes and public programs at home.

Liberators and Enemies Can Look a Lot Alike [New York Times] (Reg. Req'd)