I am adamantly opposed to any U.S. involvement in Iraq [“Kerry to Iraq leaders: sharing power is critical,” Nation & World, June 23]. The religious factions there have been fighting for thousands of years, and nothing the U.S. can do would change that.

In fact, you may remember a civil war going on while U.S. troops were occupying the country, and that is why the U.S. invasion was doomed before it began. Anyone with any knowledge of Middle East history could have predicted it. Iraq has been controlled only when ruled by a brutal dictator forcing sects to live together.

The present fighting might result in separating Iraq into three parts, which might unite like-minded areas of the wider region and lead to autonomy and self-determination. It could be painful in the short term, but might be the only chance for peace in the area.

John D. Ringler, Everett