Let 's hope that the battle of Baghdad turns out to be nothing much, rather than than another Beruit or Basra.

As Guy Rundle says:

"The most humane result would be a quick end to the actual war, with the collapse of the Iraqi army and leadership, and a perfunctory and rapid battle for Baghdad. Pockets of organised resistance would continue in the north and east, but they would be subdued quickly."

It would mean less human suffering for the Iraqi people. The last we want is another Grozny.

However, as Rundle points out the long term will be different:

"Of course, once Iraq has been conquered, an intifada of sorts will continue for as long as US coalition forces occupy the country."

But thats another story. Its avoiding a Grozny that is of concern in the short term.