The rap, good and bad, from Iraq
The several dozen attacks across Iraq today that killed at least 68 people raise many questions: is al Qaeda in Iraq reviving? can the government handle the violence as the Americans withdraw? is the failure of Prime Minister Maliki to name Interior and Defense Ministers a contributing factor? what can be done to prevent future attacks of this sort? should the Americans consider slowing their withdrawal?
It is too early for answers to most of these questions, though personally I doubt there is any reason to slow American withdrawal. Responsibility for preventing this kind of attack clearly lies with the Iraqis. There is no way that slowing the withdrawal will help in preventing them. It is even arguable that doing so would stimulate more, and encourage targeting of the Americans, who were not targeted today.
I am not as exercised about this as those who rail against slowing the withdrawal, largely because I do think that the United States has continuing national security interests in Iraq that need protection. That means we need to keep our commitment to helping Iraq acquire the means to defend itself. The gigantic American investment in Iraq over eight years should not be written off as a total loss. But it is no longer an American responsibility to protect Iraq and its citizens from its internal enemies.
That is Prime Minister Maliki’s responsibility, in particular because he has dragged his feet in naming the Defense and Interior Ministers, in an apparent effort to enhance his own control over the country’s security forces. With that control comes accountability. In a more established parliamentary system, attacks like those that occurred today would lead to the prime minister’s resignation. At the very least, he should recognize that naming new ministers would give him someone to hold responsible when things don’t go well.
The fundamental problem is that Maliki does not trust his own institutions and believes his personal authority is the only trustworthy authority. That’s a bad rap. He underestimates Iraq’s institutions and leans in authoritarian directions. It is time for Maliki to share power more effectively with his coalition partners, enlisting their considerable talents in an effort that requires the broadest possible political consensus.
While you hold your breath for that to happen, here’s a good rap out of Iraq, from before today’s terrible events:
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