[Vision2020] Nationalism in Iraq

[Ted Moffett]

John, et. al.

Yes, quite right:  With Kurds, Sunni and Shiite factions at odds with each 
other in Iraq, what are the prospects for democracy?  Clan loyalty may be 
more of a factor in Iraq than nationalism.  Yet there still may be enough 
nationalism among people in Iraq to stymie US efforts to impose our will 
upon Iraq.

Maybe nationalism is not the correct way of viewing it.  Hatred of the US 
invasion forces, and all this implies to the Islamic world, could inspire 
Shiite and Sunni alike to fight the US occupation, then when or if the US 
presence was removed, they would go back to fighting each other.  News 
reports indicate that the major uprising against Saddam is not happening, 
especially in southern Iraq where it was expected, some say due to threats 
from forces loyal to Saddam, others claiming that sentiment against the US 
is genuinely stronger than anticipated.

It appears though that the Kurds in northern Iraq have a deal with US 
forces, despite the war crimes committed against the Kurds in Turkey that 
were carried out by Turkey with US knowledge, complicity and military aid.

Ted





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