True, they might not be able to topple the new regime, but they will be able to de-stabilize Iraq over the long term, in the hope of forcing a negotiated settlement of their grievances. The new Shia elites who control Iraq have emulated their allies in Iran, creating a system that effectively chooses which of their rivals may constitute a “legitimate” opposition and which may not participate in the political process.
有些伊拉克逊尼派领袖可能会由此得出结论：长期的武装对抗才是唯一可行的策略。毫无疑问，这些领袖们可能无力推翻新政权，但是他们也有办法让政府长期不得安宁，以便最终能通过谈判来为自己申冤。而另一方面，控制了伊拉克的新什叶派精英也在从自己的伊朗盟友处取经，力图构建出一个既能有效地选择究竟他们的哪些对手能组成一个“合法”的反对派，又能确定哪些对手不能参与到政治进程当中的政治系统。