IPs in Basra (photo NYT)After their entire means of enforcing law and order was dismantled in a poor decision by Bremer, the Iraqis are finally in charge of their own security. It's a bit odd that the New York Times chooses to cast the "celebratory" tone of this Iraqi accomplishment in a bad light:
In the past few weeks, nationalist sentiments have spread within the Iraqi government and military, with officials all but boasting that Iraq is ready to handle the security situation on its own.A strong sense of nationalism seems to be one of the best methods of ethno-sectarian rivalry, both in Iraq and elsewhere, and doesn't necessarily mean that the Fourth Reich is coming back to power. Danger Room is also skeptical of this spirit, but it's good news for the Iraqis...and our military! They've still got bullshit to deal with in other godforesaken countries and dwindling resources to get the job done. Mission almost accomplished.
Speaking as a military parade marking the event was held deep inside the heavily fortified Green Zone, Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki said, “The national united government succeeded in putting down the sectarian war that was threatening the unity and the sovereignty of Iraq.”
See what the others have said:
4 comments:
Lt Nixon, thank you for your part in getting us to this point. It was a joyous day for Iraqis AND Americans. Now, if they can just fill some REALLY BIG boots and keep the ball rolling. Time will tell us for sure, but my money says yes they/we will.
It's their country, I hope they do.
I'm looking forward to the year 2011 when we'll no longer be in that country supposedly.
If they can just fill some REALLY BIG boots and keep the ball rolling. Time will tell us for sure, but my money says yes they/we will.
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