Nobody loves an occupation. Capricious crowds may greet an army with smiles one minute and pelt rocks in the next. Is Washington ready for the long haul in Iraq?

According to Ian Lustick, Professor of Political Science at University of Pennsylvania, the major challenge the U.S. faces in Iraq is the creation of the right conditions for Iraq’s society to evolve in a healthy, independent way. In his opinion, past U.S. occupations that most resemble the current occupation in Iraq are those of Cuba and the Philippines.

As’ad Abu Khalil, Professor of Political Science at California State University, thinks that the best way for the U.S. to gain support and acceptance by the Iraqis and the world at large is to hand over Iraq’s rebuilding and reconstruction to the U.N. and the international community.

Click the “Listen” link to hear more about the challenges that lie ahead for the U.S. and its reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

Guests:

Ian Lustick, Professor of Political Science at University of Pennsylvania, author of “Unsettled States Disputed Lands: Britain and Ireland, France and Algeria, Israel and the West Bank-Gaza” and “Right-Sizing the State: The Politics of Moving Borders” ;Thomas Donnelly, Research Fellow, American Enterprise Institute specializing in National Security and Defense

As’ad Abu Khalil, Professor of Political Science at California State University