Unfortunately, Sam, this article is mostly wishful thinking, like 90% of what is said about Iraq.
6 months ago, before the war crimes (collective punishment of cities, torture and murder of prisoners), we could have handed a (relatively) united Iraq over to a (relative) moderate like Sistani. That opportunity is now past. Sistani doesn't command an army, so he won't rule Iraq when we leave.
<America's aspirations for Iraq and those of the Iraqi silent majority, particularly Shiites and Kurds, are still aligned.>
If only we had allowed elections, and let that majority speak, and abided by their decision. But we didn't. Instead, we made it clear to Iraqis, we only respond to violence and force. We closed their newspapers, and arrested their leaders. So they fought us, and their militias are carving out Safe Havens, no-go areas for American troops. Those militias will hold the ground when the last American leaves Iraq in a helicopter, from the roof of our Baghdad embassy. The young men with guns will speak, and the silent majority will stay silent. And Bush did this. |
