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[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Ok, the counting is not done but the Islamic al-Sistani party appears heading for an absolute majority in Iraq. There is some chance that the first Democratically elected Islamic state in the Middle East is about to emerge in Iraq.

Assuming al-Sistani's folks end up with control of a majority in Parliament, and the ability to get to 2/3 without allying with Allawi (which also looks possible), so they can cut a deal where the Kurds get autonomy and they get an Islamic state, what should we do?

My thoughts about possible options (pick several):

(1) assume it will all work out and continue as we are (assumed temporary military presence, turn over full control of domestic affairs to the new government, keep training the Iraqi police and armed forces);
(2) assume we have to work hard and negotiate to build an alliance with al-Sistani, knowing that his people think of us as utterly untrustworthy (remember, we encouraged them to revolt and then let them get slaughtered in the first war) and this will be a long hard road; put everything about our continued role in Iraqi on the table for negotiation in a proceeding that is assumed to be adversarial;
(3) ensure continued military presence for a long time, perhaps even forcing a permanent military facility (or multiple facilities) on Iraqi soil;
(4) make sure there is adequate leadership for each faction to facilitate a future 3-way split of the country, knowing we can get one good ally (Kurdistan) and hoping for at least two;
(5) play ball with more old Baathists to strengthen the Sunni hand, but not go so far as to actively pull in the current insurgents;
(6) assume the political game is now an all-Iraqi game and do our best to make sure American businesses have significant freedom to operate in Iraq, counting on capitalism to slowly change the underlying dynamics;
(7) undermine al-Sistani in every possible way, maximizing the use of every "stick" we have to make it clear that he can manage the roads and hospitals but is not in a position to turn Iraq into an Islamic state or dictate its foreign policy; this option could include starting to actively work with and support some of the insurgents.

Any other choices? So which of these policies should Bush follow if Sistani gains a majority?

(note: I'm trying to be purely analytical, not partisan - it's just a position we may find ourselves in a couple weeks from now and I'm curious how others would handle it).