The US and British leaders may be getting domestic flak for their perceived mistakes in Iraq, but some observers in the Arab world see them as being quite successful - in carrying out a well-calculated plan to divide the country.
The debate dates back to July 13, 2003, when the Iraqi Governing Council was formed under Paul Bremer, the US administrator.
Sectarianism and ethnic extremism were strengthened in that council and various laws have since encouraged an aggressive sectarianism leading to a fierce militia war.
Anis Mansour, an Egyptian editor and author, believes the US is following the historical British policy of divide and rule.
He says: "What we are seeing now is just the beginning of a scheme to split the country up into regions.
"It is not true that the US has failed. It did what it wanted to do and this will last for a long time.
"It will stay the same whether a Democratic or a Republican president is to follow [George] Bush."
