Drastic situations require drastic measures.  You're actually making my point for me.  The only way that region could reach some level of stability was through harsh rule.  The Shi'ites, Sunnis, and Kurds are always at each others' throats.  It's only when some crazy dictator or ruthless rule steps in that they get things to calm down a bit.  So, some have to suffer more than others to maintain some level of stability.

I'm in no way advocating that, but it is what it is.  Loosen the reigns, and that region falls to pieces, as we witness in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

I'm watching our culture start to fragment and become more and more violent or aggressive.  Heck, we just had some mayor asking to limit free speech in fear of riots.  I forget where...California?  Oregon?  Anyway, point is I'm hearing suggestions of less freedom and more rule.  Not sure how far it'll go, but it's bothersome.