Getting Real in Iraq

[tequila]

Getting Real in Iraq - Marina Ottaway.

... In practice, the United States has not had a real political strategy since the 2005 elections, but continues pushing the same old measures: a revision of the constitution, a reversal of the de-Baathification policy, legislation that will share oil revenue equitably and the disarming of militias ...

There is no reason to believe that a few additional months and the threat of a decrease in the number of U.S. troops is going to lead to an agreement ...

It is time to acknowledge that the past failure to act is not the result of Maliki's weak leadership or the parliament's dilly-dallying while the country burns. The failure reflects the reality of a country deeply divided on fundamental issues, indeed a country at war with itself ...

The impossibility of a political solution along the lines the United States favors does not necessarily mean that no political solution is possible in Iraq ...

If we want to restore stability in Iraq we need to help Iraqis negotiate a framework that recognizes and manages the divisions that exist in the country. It does not matter whether the framework is complex, or whether it is the most favorable to U.S. interests and plans. The bloodbath has already started, and we will not stop it with a military surge and a tired, failed political strategy.

[Dr Jack]

Here's the link to the article in the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...060601443.html

[tequila]

Oops! Thanks DrJack.