A departed anonymous commentator gently chided me for getting my analysis from reading Znet as if that was to blame for my inability to understand the point of the latest insanity in Iraq (Maliki's bush II-approved assault on the powerful Shiite cleric, Sadr). But discussing all of this elsewhere allowed me to be directed by Rufus ("purple library guy") Polson to:
Understanding Latest Iraq Violence
Which is quite good.
As of this writing, Maliki's offensive has ground to a halt, and Sadr is calling for renewed negotiations. There's no doubt that US and British air support could pulverize Sadr's militia, but there are doubts aplenty that Maliki's forces are loyal to him. There's also doubts that the bush II regime (as indifferent as it is to public opinion, or any opinion contrary to its own) can sustain the renewal of constant attacks on US military personnel, on a scale proportionally larger than the attack waves of Sunni minorities. To avoid this, bush II would have his troops hide in the Green Zone, and on their bases, but that would subject Iraqi policemen and soldiers to these attacks, which would further weaken the shaky power of the government.
What's constant is that bush II has made a hell out of Iraq. And five years of hell is a terrible thing to conceive.
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3 comments:
Good mornong, thwap.
It seems obvious that Al Sadr wants things peaceful until the elections. Assuming conventional wisdom is correct and his sect gains more seats, they will be the uncontested majority, and Maliki/US will have a harder time convincing everyone that Sadrists are outlaws. Al Sadr's popularity is what forced Maliki's hand, not any lawlessness in Basra/environs.
I'm delighted that this article's author reminded us that Maliki is Iran's kinda guy. How's them Manichean-style sunglasses workin' out for ya, Georgie?
Once again Bush/Cheney have shown that overt crushing of the people for material gain is no hindrance at all.
They're both Iranian allies. bush II is a moron, but Cheney's a dim bulb hisself.
But yeah, this is Maliki's "electoral strategy." Physically wipe out your opposition.
After that, the debates are a cinch.
Hey, can't talk now, I just got my 'Ron Paul-The Gold Standard or Bust!' or somesuch. I'll let you know if anything good, or relevant, is in there.
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