Iraq, the unraveling (VIII): How this doesn't end

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks Monday, May 11, 2009 - 6:59 PM Share

From an article over the weekend in good old Stars & Stripes about the Baghdad government not paying and otherwise disrespecting the Sons of Iraq:

I think the Iraqi government is not capitalizing on the momentum," said U.S. Army Capt. Jason Dudley, who works closely with "Sons of Iraq" leaders in northeast Baghdad. "I think it's a huge blow to the momentum we've created."

This quotation also echoes the findings of the Silverman study I blogged the other day that concluded that there is widespread distrust of the central government not only among Sunni leaders but also among Shiites:

All the politicians who are working with Iran are controlled by Iran, who tells them to create problems with the 'Sons of Iraq,'?" said Sheik Ali Mijbil al-Ghrayn, a Shiite "Sons of Iraq" leader in the Baghdad neighborhood of Kuwaiti Village.

Like a ball of yarn.

By the way, here is what General Odierno had to say Friday about how this ends:

And it's not going to end, okay? There'll always be some sort of a low-level insurgency in Iraq for the next five, 10, 15 years. The issue is, what is the level of that insurgency? And can the Iraqis handle it with their own forces and with their government? That's the issue. "

I think that is a good summary of the issue.

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EXPLORE:IRAQ THE UNRAVELING, IRAQ, MEDIA, MILITARY

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RUBBER DUCKY

7:05 PM ET

May 11, 2009

Am curious...

Am curious what it is that causes us to give a good goddam about Iraq, US national interest aside. It ends when it suits us. Those who suggest some obligation to see this through (Tom) are guilty of sunk-cost analysis. Bad start, badly played - why should the end we seek be grand?

TYRTAIOS

8:05 PM ET

May 11, 2009

It's probably a silly notion

It's probably a silly notion held by many Americans Rubber Ducky, but after the casualties, national treasure spent, and the looming (not talked about) cost of refitting our Army and Marines - many Americans were, and still are, hoping for some grand gratification that it was needed and worth it in the end - national interest's aside.

Too bad, I would've told those Americans our little expedition into Mesopotamia would get us involved in "a quarrel in a far away country between people of whom we know nothing."

DIMITRIJEVIC

8:13 PM ET

May 11, 2009

This is interesting as well in case you haven't seen it

The Iranians are Coming !

By Amir Oraha (Middle East Times)

13 March 2009

...."This is Baghdad," laments one of the hotel staff, pointing despairingly at the women. "Do you see this? They all look like they are from Iran! What is our country coming to?" he wails.

Reluctant at first, one of the women agrees to talk, but insists it be done away from the crowd.

"Why is everyone dressed like this," asks this reporter.

"Please don’t misunderstand. We don’t dress like this normally. It is too hot and this is not our style, but if we do not, they threaten us," she explains. A friend standing by her side nods in agreement.

Another woman, a member of the election committee explained that they were told to dress that way and wear a coat, even in summer if they wanted to be on the committee.

"Iran is taking over everything," she laments.

Another woman, an Iraqi Assyrian Christian, refuses to partake in a business meeting organized for women, because she is afraid she will be seen.

By whom? Asks this reporter, insisting that this is inside the so-called Green Zone, protected by the U.S military.

"I’m so sorry, but they will see me and it will be a problem for me" says the woman, a hint of trepidation clearly audible in her voice.

Does this mean "they" are watching inside the Green Zone?

The woman becomes very nervous: "They are from Iran," she says. "They are everywhere. If I am seen they will cause trouble for me. They have hurt many."

Refusing to accept the notion that Iranians are operating right under the eyes of U.S. forces, this reporter decides to have a look for himself.

Meeting with the Iraqi-American who is coordinating the event I relate the conversation just exchanged across the street.

"I am afraid she may be right," he says, almost in a whisper." There are Iranians all over the place," he adds.

He goes on: "What is happening is that Iranians are coming, but they have Iraqi IDs. We keep telling the Americans that even though they may show up with Iraqi IDs they are in fact from Iran. They don’t want to hear about it. They are everywhere."

Full piece Here.