October 20, 2010
Iraqis undertake test in moving forward to self-governance
Stepping foot into the transportation hub of Baghdad in mid-April, a US Middle East policy expert recalled being "very surprised" over the visible signs marking the transition from US military forces to the Iraqis themselves.
"The airport did not look like police state, it looked like a normally run airport," Patricia DeGennaro, a senior fellow at the World Policy Institute and adjunct assistant professor at New York University, told Xinhua in a recent telephone interview.
Just a month and a half after the March parliamentary elections which left no clear-cut winner, DeGennaro visited Iraq for several weeks to assess the situation as US combat forces were nearing a withdrawal.
Flying into an Iraqi-headed airport, where there was "not a substantial" US military presence, was an indication that the shift was underway, explained DeGennaro.
Iraqis undertake test in moving forward to self-governance
Stepping foot into the transportation hub of Baghdad in mid-April, a US Middle East policy expert recalled being "very surprised" over the visible signs marking the transition from US military forces to the Iraqis themselves.
"The airport did not look like police state, it looked like a normally run airport," Patricia DeGennaro, a senior fellow at the World Policy Institute and adjunct assistant professor at New York University, told Xinhua in a recent telephone interview.
Just a month and a half after the March parliamentary elections which left no clear-cut winner, DeGennaro visited Iraq for several weeks to assess the situation as US combat forces were nearing a withdrawal.
Flying into an Iraqi-headed airport, where there was "not a substantial" US military presence, was an indication that the shift was underway, explained DeGennaro.
There was still a division that existed over what was controlled by Iraqis versus what was still controlled by the US military, she said. In areas further south, the divisions weren't as noticeable, she noted.
"It was more clear to me that in these areas, Iraqis were actually taking a very strong lead in the governance of the city -- having their own struggle and challenge of security," DeGennaro said. "They were moving forward for sure."
With steps being taken towards Iraqi self-governance and responsibility, it can be seen by American forces assuming a supporting role, instead of directly engaging in combat operations.
But there was also a sense of apprehension felt in the air with Iraqis feeling "insecure" over their weakened military and their fear in a rise of militias as the withdrawal came closer, DeGennaro said.
The test though would come once the last brigade of US combat troops left Iraq.
Deadlock remains
But more than seven months later, things are still in limbo as leaders fail to form a government, which has created a power vacuum.
"Nothing is going to be able to move forward until Iraqis get the governance in order," DeGennaro said.
Incumbent Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's State of Law Alliance, a Shiite group, narrowly lost by two seats in March's elections to Al Iraqiya List, a broadly secular coalition with strong Sunni backing headed by former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi.
With neither side gaining the majority required to preside, gridlock has existed between major factions as they clash on leaders, power and on the formation of a new government.
"If there is no Iraqi government formed, then everything is kind of on hold so there's no planning, there's no looking forward, there's no being able to decide on what's on the agenda, no milestones in place," DeGennaro said.
And that is exactly what is being taken advantage of now, she said.
With leadership essentially up for grabs, militia groups have used the scenario for their own personal gains.
The wave has also changed for hundreds of members of the US- backed Awakening Council who have left their positions or been dismissed, according to the New York Times on Saturday.
Also known as the Sons Of Iraq, members were Sunni insurgents and tribal leaders who had turned against al-Qaeda.
Formed in 2006, the Awakening Councils was one of the drivers to defeat the insurgency, which also largely contributed to a fall in violence.
As of July, US officials estimated there were 94,000 Sunnis in Awakening groups.
Recently, members are increasingly being recruited by an " intensive recruitment campaign" from the Sunni insurgency and rejoining al-Qaeda as uncertainty bred from the March elections -- leaving members disenchanted with what is left for Sunni political influence, reported The Times.
With control and power throttling on the ground, the vulnerability of the region has significantly risen with insurgents looking to stir the vacuum.
Talk stirs up
In recent weeks, leaders from the political blocs have been working to secure backing to cement the government with efforts for alliances being stepped up, particularly for allies with neighboring countries.
Fighting for his job, al-Maliki is pushing hard for regional support and has visited Syria and Jordan.
On Monday, al-Maliki visited Iran and received Tehran's backing for his second term. The backing, no doubt, has stirred the kettle with US Department of State Assistant Secretary P.J. Crowley citing concerns on the same day over Iran's long-standing " meddling in Iraq's affairs."
State Department Briefing by Phillip J. Crowley, October 18, 2010
But amidst talk and alliances, many warn the road is still thorny as the political blocs have to be willing to make concessions. With power-sharing though, it will be hard to untangle with rivalries al-Maliki and Allawi.
"I don't think it's going to happen overnight, it's going to take a long time," DeGennaro told Xinhua. "I do feel that (Iraqis) have had a foundation and as soon as they reconnect to the foundation, you will see a movement."
http://world.globaltimes.cn/in-depth/2010-10/583824.html
