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Iraq election.... early returns.

Posted: December 23rd, 2005, 2:34 pm
by mnaz
The early returns of Iraq's election are less than promising, as outlined in this LA Times article from a couple days ago:


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld ... ines-world


So much stock was placed in this political process to: (1)achieve a more Western-friendly, more 'democratic' and 'less Islamic' government, and (2) begin to heal sectarian divisions which have been tearing the country apart. Granted, it is early, but the early indications indicate failure on both counts.

"Elections can act to sharpen social divisions rather than heal them and to increase political instability rather than temper it", is a key statement made in the article. Again, many many experts foresaw this happening before Bushco charged into Iraq. And from what I've read, the political process efforts of the Admin. have amounted to rushed compromise, not properly seen through. Time will tell, I suppose.

Posted: December 23rd, 2005, 4:52 pm
by Zlatko Waterman
Iraq is already sharply compartmentalized. Iraqi militias ( private, often theocratic, armies) are counted by the Pentagon as those who will "stand up" as we . . .well, you've heard the rest of the pentagonese blather.

Look for a distracting gesture in "drawing down" troop levels in 2006. In the meantime, by the measurement of all astute observers, in and out of the Pentagon, bombing will increase, with Iraqi spotters possibly calling the hits.

This means, of course, that Peshmerga Kurds could call in strikes against "terrorist" Sunnis, or even Shia, all to keep the oil cap on their own Kirkuk.

( link)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq ... rkuk_x.htm


(link-- Moonie take from the Washington Times, Bush's favorite newspaper)

http://washingtontimes.com/world/200503 ... -9675r.htm


(THE NATION-- a left-wing take from 2 1/2 years ago)

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20030505/griswold


But, without prognosticating further, the air force will have its day, and many, many more will die.

That's what those bombs are for, right Jimbo?


--Z