Africa and Iraq postscript (alternative solutions to the war in Iraq included)
In July, the Democratic Republic of the Congo holds its first election since 1965. But "with the country's vast distances, poor communications and largely illiterate population, most people have only the vaguest idea what the election will mean for them." [1]
A Washington Post - ABC News poll asked: "How confident are you that Iraq will have a stable, democratic government a year from now?" The response was: Very confident (3%). Somewhat confident (36%). Not too confident (30%). Not confident at all (29%). [2]
"In Iraq, (the Bush Administration) has acted to shut down dozens of projects designed to nurture the seedlings of democracy: civil society, political parties, women's and human rights organizations, and the like." [3]
"By largely going it alone in Iraq, we rapidly transformed ourselves from liberator to occupying power . . . Neither world public opinion nor American political dynamics will allow us to stay there long enough to stabilize Iraqi society, even if we could . . . We need direct and long-term engagement by other major countries, including a credible multilateral military force, and we need it fast." [4]
"What will bring stability and peace to Iraq? . . . Today you hear from soldiers and civilians alike that only the Iraqi political process can create peace, by generating a settlement that strikes a balance among the interests of Iraq's various groups." [5]
"A number of American officials and experts, weary from the bloodletting, are giving renewed attention to proposals to let the regions of Iraq break into their own parts. In the latest issue of Foreign Affairs, Leslie Gelb . . . argues for a variation of sectarian division . . . (But) it has one big problem: Especially in Iraq's urban areas, it could be a bloody affair." [6, 7]
"A great many of the failures in Afghanistan and Iraq arise from a single problem: the American-led coalitions’ lack of trust in local politicians. Repeatedly the Western powers, irritated by a lack of progress, have overruled local leaders, rejected compromises and tried to force through their own strategies. But the Westerners’ capacity is limited: they have little understanding of Afghan or Iraqi politics and rely too heavily on troops and money to solve what are fundamentally political and religious problems." [8]
sources
[1] The New York Times. Congo nears historic election, praying for peace. July 1, 2006.
[2] The Washington Post. Nation is divided on drawdown of troops. (Poll data link). June 27, 2006.
[3] The Washington Post. A democracy policy in ashes. June 27, 2006.
[4] The Washington Post. Help wanted in Iraq. June 27, 2006.
[5] The New York Times. The only exit strategy left. June 25, 2006.
[6] The New York Times. Solution: Break up Iraq; Reality: It's not so easy. June 25, 2006.
[7] Foreign Affairs. What to do in Iraq: A roundtable. July/August 2006.
[8] The New York Times. Even in Iraq, All Politics Is Local. July 13, 2006.
related postings
[1] Life and death in Africa and Iraq. June 23, 2006.
[2] Stay America, but don't turn Iraq into a target. June 20, 2006.
posted: july 8, 2006, 6:24 PM ET
update: september 4, 2006, 7:09 PM ET
A Washington Post - ABC News poll asked: "How confident are you that Iraq will have a stable, democratic government a year from now?" The response was: Very confident (3%). Somewhat confident (36%). Not too confident (30%). Not confident at all (29%). [2]
"In Iraq, (the Bush Administration) has acted to shut down dozens of projects designed to nurture the seedlings of democracy: civil society, political parties, women's and human rights organizations, and the like." [3]
"By largely going it alone in Iraq, we rapidly transformed ourselves from liberator to occupying power . . . Neither world public opinion nor American political dynamics will allow us to stay there long enough to stabilize Iraqi society, even if we could . . . We need direct and long-term engagement by other major countries, including a credible multilateral military force, and we need it fast." [4]
"What will bring stability and peace to Iraq? . . . Today you hear from soldiers and civilians alike that only the Iraqi political process can create peace, by generating a settlement that strikes a balance among the interests of Iraq's various groups." [5]
"A number of American officials and experts, weary from the bloodletting, are giving renewed attention to proposals to let the regions of Iraq break into their own parts. In the latest issue of Foreign Affairs, Leslie Gelb . . . argues for a variation of sectarian division . . . (But) it has one big problem: Especially in Iraq's urban areas, it could be a bloody affair." [6, 7]
"A great many of the failures in Afghanistan and Iraq arise from a single problem: the American-led coalitions’ lack of trust in local politicians. Repeatedly the Western powers, irritated by a lack of progress, have overruled local leaders, rejected compromises and tried to force through their own strategies. But the Westerners’ capacity is limited: they have little understanding of Afghan or Iraqi politics and rely too heavily on troops and money to solve what are fundamentally political and religious problems." [8]
sources
[1] The New York Times. Congo nears historic election, praying for peace. July 1, 2006.
[2] The Washington Post. Nation is divided on drawdown of troops. (Poll data link). June 27, 2006.
[3] The Washington Post. A democracy policy in ashes. June 27, 2006.
[4] The Washington Post. Help wanted in Iraq. June 27, 2006.
[5] The New York Times. The only exit strategy left. June 25, 2006.
[6] The New York Times. Solution: Break up Iraq; Reality: It's not so easy. June 25, 2006.
[7] Foreign Affairs. What to do in Iraq: A roundtable. July/August 2006.
[8] The New York Times. Even in Iraq, All Politics Is Local. July 13, 2006.
related postings
[1] Life and death in Africa and Iraq. June 23, 2006.
[2] Stay America, but don't turn Iraq into a target. June 20, 2006.
posted: july 8, 2006, 6:24 PM ET
update: september 4, 2006, 7:09 PM ET
posted by eric at 3:49 PM
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