In effect, the state was de-Sunnified. The American- selected Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) was dominated by sectarian and ethnic exile parties that had little support within Iraq, and its Sunni members were especially weak.

A second feature is the Matterhorn of inflation that dominates the scene. The average postwar recession showed a 1.4 per cent decline in industrial wholesale prices.

Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.

Rigoletto tells himself that he keeps Gilda hidden away so that evil men like the courtiers will not be able to seduce her, but his primary motivation for keeping her isolated and ignorant is that he fears that if Gilda meets other people, especially other men, he will suffer by comparison and she will cease to love him wholeheartedly.