'Welcome to Tehran' - how Iran took control of Basra

There are at least 20 major tribes in the Basra area. Iraqis often feel the strongest allegiance to their tribe, above nationality. At least one influential tribe in the city runs its own smuggling business.

This may well be coming to America in the not-too-distant future. Race and tribe will become more compelling in terms of loyalty than the nation-state known as the U.S.A.

It's difficult to see what will hold this together. There is no "fallback position" such as occurred when the USSR collapsed and there was a "Russian Federation" composed mainly of ethnic Slav Russians still standing.

The benefits of education and of useful knowledge, generally diffused through a community, are essential to the preservation of a free government. - Sam Houston