Sunday, May 25, 2008

"Last throes", anyone?

US ambassador: al-Qaida close to defeat in Iraq
By LEE KEATH, Associated Press Writer
Sun May 25, 2008
BAGHDAD - The U.S. ambassador to Iraq said Saturday that al-Qaida's network in the country has never been closer to defeat, and he praised Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for his moves to rein in Shiite and Sunni militant groups.

Personally, I think I'll hold off on celebrating till the headline reads,
al-Qaida DEFEATED in Iraq
The "light at the end of the tunnel" narratives long ago lost their credence.

Regarding al-Maliki's moves to rein in Shiite & Sunni militant groups, I note that the U.S. co-opted the Sunni militant groups in Anbar - paying them and renaming them "Citizens Councils"; and that the only Shiite group al-Maliki seems to care about is al Sadr's Mahdi Army. Recall, al Sadr is Maliki's political opponent. Weakening Sadr is high on Maliki's list of priorities... I'm not sure why it's also high on our list. If W were serious about promoting democracy he'd welcome al Sadr's grassroots political activism.

Call me when the good news in fact represents a fait accompli, not the end of a rainbow.

Stop the madness.

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