Who Runs Iraq?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

Poll question: Who Runs Iraq?

Now that the government of Iraq and their United States benefactors and protectors have called off their siege of Najaf and the forces of Muqtada al-Sadr we are forced to conclude that the insurgents run Iraq. How can Iraq be sovereign if you have a renegade cleric claim a substantial portion of territory and dictate terms to the central government.

It would be as if Jerry Falwell set up a separate government in Virginia and refused to accept the sovereignty of the federal government.


I don't have an answer but I do know that by caving into the insurgent's demands will only encourage more insurgents.

Who runs Iraq?

[Tempest]

1. It's not just in Najaf

Al-Sadr militiamen battle U.S. and Iraqi forces in four cities
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/218/world/Al_Sadr_militiamen_battle_U_S_:.shtml


Despite Agreement, Insurgents Rule Fallujah
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A20761-2004Jun6?language=printer


Iraq insurgents seize stretch of highway leading to Fallujah bastion
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/afp/iraq_abugharib

[no name no slogan]

2. This is nothing new

The situation today is pretty much the same as it's been since "liberation". The US controls most of Baghdad and some other big cities in the middle part of the country. The Shias in the south pretty much manage their own affairs (despite US garrisons in several of their big cities), and the Kurds in the north are all but autonomous, like they've been since 1991.

Is this "anarchy"? Not really. It's just that there's no LEGITIMATE central authority over the whole country-- one that is supported by all the factions in Iraq.

The withdrawal/calling off of the sieges just proves that the US does NOT control the country, and will probably NEVER be able to control it, no matter how many troops we send over there to "stabilize" it. It also proves that the Iraqis are quite capable of managing their own affairs, and don't really need the US for much more than bankrolling the rebuilding.

The US NEEDS to get the hell out of Iraq NOW. These last couple weeks just prove that the destabilizing force in Iraq is US, not "insurgents". Get the military out, get Halliburton out, and let the Iraqis choose who THEY want to rebuild their country. In a country with 80% unemployment, I'm sure they'll be able to figure SOMETHING out.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

3. Wolf Blitzer Is A Fucking Idiot....

He said the al-Sadr situation was a win for the government....



al-Sadr is involved in seditious behavior and he's able to go back to the status quo before the uprising...


It's akin to letting Jefferson Davis go back to the status quo before the south seceded...


What a fucking idiot....

[Mike L]

4. It's the Iraq, Stupid!