WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- The United States could find itself fighting another major war in Iraq unless it quells the Sunni insurgency, a major U.S. think-tank said Friday.
A report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington warned the U.S.-led civil administration must act quickly to stabilize Iraq. The alternative could be the outbreak of a major U.S. war against the Iraqi people, WorldTribune.com reported.
"Effective operations must focus on conflict termination and nation building long before any actual fighting begins," the report said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military commander in Iraq said he envisions troops in Iraq until at least 2005. Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez said Iraq would require a U.S. military presence until the Iraqi army is completed with three divisions, Middle East Newsline reported.
The institute criticizes the U.S. plan for a 40,000-member Iraqi military. The report said this constitutes a token military that leaves Iraq defenseless against Iran and Turkey as well as dependent on Britain and the United States.
