Yes I believe that the insurgency will end. Why? Well let’s look at history. There is no doubt that some areas of the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan, have a history of endless war and violence. But if we look at the more stable parts of the world for example Europe and India (the largest democracy on the planet) we can see that they too have a history of violence and war both civil and with neighbours.

Looking deeper we see that Great Britain was scared for hundreds of years leading up to the industrial revolution with endless wars between the small countries that now make up the United Kingdom - Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England. From those desperate conflicts we saw the rise of democracy, social welfare and equality. Not I am afraid in a few weeks or months but arguably over hundreds of years.

I think that the Iraq question is about how outside powers can create the right environment for social, political (and perhaps religious) development. We cannot beat the insurgence unless we kill them all and then kill some more. So we need to create the right political, social and economic fabric in which the people of Iraq can build their future.

We have seen the rebuilding of many war torn countries and regions Germany, Japan, Vietnam and the surrounding countries, Poland and India. Lets try to stop thinking about how to beat the insurgence think more about how we can build a society that meets the needs of its people and is at peace with its neighbours.