I had a political science professor many many years ago (circa 1993) who concluded our semester telling us all to watch out for the "coming second invasion of Iraq". The principle reason he cited for such certainty: The attractiveness of permanent bases in the region draws US national security hawks there like Odysseus to the Sirens.

Extended U.S. presence in Iraq? - Conflict in Iraq - MSNBC.com:

"BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq - The concrete goes on forever, vanishing into the noonday glare, 2 million cubic feet of it, a mile-long slab that?s now the home of up to 120 U.S. helicopters, a ?heli-park? as good as any back in the States.

At another giant base, al-Asad in Iraq?s western desert, the 17,000 troops and workers come and go in a kind of bustling American town, with a Burger King, Pizza Hut and a car dealership, stop signs, traffic regulations and young bikers clogging the roads."

Are the Americans here to stay? Air Force mechanic Josh Remy is sure of it as he looks around Balad.

?I think we?ll be here forever,? the 19-year-old airman from Wilkes-Barre, Pa., told a visitor to his base.