Iraq Slips Into Civil War

How Iraq slipped Into A Civil War

While Iraq slips ever further into civil war George Bush is desperately looking for international support from those nations in the Balkans that were part of what was known as the, "Coalition Of The Willing." After that he will, head to the Middle East to meet with Iraqi president Naouri Al-Maliki. Most Washington insiders believe that George W. Bush will try his best to put pressure on Maliki to reduce the violence in not only Baghdad but also in the greater Iraq. This is not to suggest that Bush is looking to reduce American troops in the area but, he his seeking a way to reduce the casualty of U.S. troops in an effort to depoliticize the war. But, it shouldn't take long before he realizes it's a lost cause. Here is a closer look at situation in Iraq.

For the first time since 1959, Iraq is now Sunni. There forces have proven beyond any reasonable doubt that their militas can strike anywhere in the country and have taken control over most of the nation states that were once Iraq. Moktada Al-Sadr has the strongest militia of the Shiites along with reverence of many Iraqis outside his sect but, he is forced to fight both U.S.troops along with Sunnis. He is a very powerful force in central Baghdad but, in the hinterlands, Sunni forces have been slaughtering Shiites and clearly have the upper hand. This a is complete  reversal from the days of Saddam where Shiite forces ruled under the banner of the Baathist party and had enjoyed weapons provided by the Western nations. But, today, their attacks while great in number are unable to change the tide in their favor. The Kurds are still in the last safe zone in the country and there is no reason believe that they have illusions of taking control. 

Despite being known as the U.S's man in Baghdad, Naouri Al-Maliki knows that he is falling from power faster than Ngo Din Diem did in 1963.  And because of this, he has chosen the road that seemed the most unlikely a few months ago, he is seeking the help of U.S. enemy Iran. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, president of Iran has been at odds with the U.S. since he came to power. The largest area of contention is Iran's  nuclear program. While Ahmadinejad insists their program is for peace means only, Washington has been pushing the idea that the program is being used as an effort to create nuclear weapons. But the latest intelligence finding states that Iran is still at least ten years away from having the capability to build any nuclear weapons. Washington has been doing their best to pressure NATO to issue sanctions on Iran which has been vetoed by both China and Russia. Even so, Naouri Al Maliki knows he has is running out of both time and options. Iran also fears a destabilized neighbor since it is probable the the Iraq's situation will spill over the border. It is because of this fear that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has chosen to help Al-Maliki. Iran maybe the only chance to prevent the destabilization of not only Iraq's immediate neighbors but, also the entire region. So despite Bush's distaste for Iran's government, it is odd that even he refuses sit down with  Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The U.S. troops in Iraq are like a child hanging onto a horse in a full gallop. They are holding on for dear life at this point. In fact they are little more than a milita in Iraq these days. They have no control over any province, those under are Sunni rule now. The troops have been able to do little while Iraq slipped into civil. One must assume, that much of the abuses being pinned to our soldiers are from frustration and anger. This is not to excuse the abuse, rather, we are seeing the climate of Vietnam all over again.

For more information see links below. Until next time      

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