Tranistions In Iraq

TW: To relatively little ado (a good thing), Americans forces are completing their withdrawal from Iraqi cities. To me this is a great thing. Not without some risk but like everything else in life one must take risks, otherwise one ends up with a Cheney/Bush policy of chasing demons in the night at all costs and regardless of consequences.

Will there be violence in Iraq? Of course. Will the country blow apart? I doubt it. Military occupations inherently must end, why not now for the U.S. in Iraq? The Iraqis must figure out how to co-exist more or less peacefully. There will be bumps in the road but the process must accelerate. Today is a step on that path.

From Economist:
"...As the deadline looms, people are again asking whether Iraq’s forces will be able to cope on their own...

Yet...the recorded figures suggest that the violence is still in retreat. Fewer civilians were killed in May than in any month since 2003. Both Iraqi and American officials had predicted a surge in attacks as the deadline for withdrawal neared.

...But the Iraqis are slowly realising that Mr Obama really does intend to remove the bulk of his troops before 2011. So they may at last be starting to focus on passing long-delayed bits of important nation-building legislation, such as an oil-and-gas law, constitutional amendments, and even a law governing elections. Without a modicum of cohesion at the heart of government, how can Iraq’s security forces stick together in the face of sectarian or ethnic tension? Iraqis know that establishing a more cohesive and broader-based government is at least as important as beefing up the Iraqi security forces.

A crucial general election is due in January—and everybody knows that the Americans want to witness a peaceful poll leading to a stable government before they can withdraw completely. So there is a fresh ferment of political horse-trading and alliance-testing. Mr Maliki is trying to buff up his image as the strongman who can provide law and order. He is exploring the possibility of new ties across sectarian divisions as well as sounding out possible partners for a grand Shia coalition similar to the one that won last time. Even the “Bands of the Righteous”, an offshoot of the Shia militia movement led by a radical cleric, Muqtada al-Sadr, may want to take part in peaceful politics. As a gesture of goodwill, it released the bodies of two long-dead British hostages who had been kidnapped two years ago.

Yet, whether the Americans stay or leave, Iraq still suffers from its worst failing. There is still no party or leader that can reach across the country’s divisions and appeal to Iraqis of every ethnic and sectarian hue."
http://www.economist.com/world/mideast-africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13927318