Dear readers,
The blog is back! But this is a temporary site until I get my own website up and running, soon.
Here is the entry that I tried to post last week and I couldn’t:
THE GAME of “Iraq politics” started to irritate me, and millions of other Iraqis. Every day we realize more that what Iraq has turned into is not worth the sacrifice we’ve paid in the last five years. One of the results of that, unfortunately, is that now Iraqis compare Iraq under the dictator Saddam Hussein to the Iraqi they live in now, and believe that under Hussein the situation was much better.
But as one of them, I understand where the Iraqis come from when they make such comparison and conclusion. What the country has turned into after the invasion in 2003 gives the average Iraqi no space to think about he benefits we’ve been given by just toppling Saddam Hussein. When they compare the number of enemies and criminals in the streets now, and the number of threats they face these days to the one enemy they had under Hussein, which is the government itself, they realize that it was easier to survive under the former dictatorship than now. At least they knew the redlines and they tried not to cross them into the danger. But now, there are no redlines. Everyone is a target and for no reason. Just a target.
From a country with unified borders and security forces that protected everyone, except the government’s opposition, to lawless territories where no one is safe, not even inside their houses. From a country where the education system was deteriorating, but still produced students who are now acing their way through the world’s best universities, including American universities, to a land where just being a student makes you a target.
Sunni areas are dangerous for Shiites, and vice versa. We don’t have Iraqi provinces now. Instead, we have Shiite territories and Sunni territories. And in Baghdad, Diyala and Kirkuk, the only provinces where populations of different backgrounds still exist, they don’t live together; there are different neighborhoods for different sects and ethnicities. In Baghdad, they are separated by “separation walls.”
All this was done without even asking the Iraqis themselves. Maybe they would have agreed on the separation, maybe not. But the average Iraqis weren’t asked.
And to make it worse, two parliament members proposed to separate Sadr city and make it a province by itself.
And the Maliki government is still in power!
I believe what is happening in and to Iraq is because the lack of politics. We don’t have politicians in the country. The decision makers in Iraq now [and by “decision makers” I mean the people who stir things up and launch campaigns to kill Iraqis and terrify the rest to control the country] are Nouri al-Maliki, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, Adnan al-Dulaimi and Muqtada al-Sadr. None of them is a politician, or has any amount of experience in politics or international relations. None of them has a network of advisors beyond their relations with Iran, or tribal traditions and power. They’ve kidnapped Iraq. None of them has friends in the international community and therefore, we see them acting alone and are backed by no one, but Bush, who, ironically, is exactly like them [has no political experience or international experience prior to being president.]
Those people are holding Iraq hostage. A country led by Quran interpretations [and they are many and they differ] will never have the chance to stand on its feet.
A 1000 Iraqi security forces members, including high ranking officers, refused to participate in the military operations against the Mehdi Army in Basra last week. To deal with this, Maliki went to Shiite tribes, whose leaders support his terrorist Dawa party, and asked them for back up. He included 10,000 Shiite militia members in the Iraqi security forces in the last two weeks. What does that mean?
Maliki is forming a shield of armed supporters around him and his terrorist party. He is preparing to take over Iraq and run it alone.
This is exactly what Saddam Hussein did when the Baath party took power in 1968. He assassinated a few of his enemies in the party and then, with family members and supporters from his clan, he formed Jihaz Hunein, which was the equivalent of the criminal Badr organization now. Jihaz Hunein was responsible for the assassinations of everyone that disagreed with the Baath party ideologies. And that was the beginning of the Saddam Hussein era.
Am I the only one whose seeing this?!
24,
So did you find out why was your blog was suspended? Was it a plot by your enemies?
[24] Maliki is forming a shield of armed supporters around him and his terrorist party. He is preparing to take over Iraq and run it alone. This is exactly what Saddam Hussein did when the Baath party took power in 1968.
Whaaaaaat???? Have you lost you mind?? (rhetorical) Maliki has the support of every significant non-Sadrist bloc in the Iraqi government.
How do you defend this statement when for the last 2 years you have consistently used the legitimacy of JAM as proof of the sectarian betrayal of the Iraqi government and the lack of success of the surge? Is this Maliki Derangement Syndrome? ("If Maliki it must be bad. No matter what it is.")
so glad you are back!
no Omar, you are not the only one seeing this. it proves the people of iraq just don't matter in this 'GAME'.
does any of this surprise anyone? it proves the US had no problem with saddam's style of 'leadership' as long as it is on 'our side'. the US congress is now debating other ways to make iraqis pay for this madness.
said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel "They have got to have some skin in the game."
iraqis have thus far not paid their pound of flesh! this information is passed to us in an article with a stupid feel good title. mr mc cain thinks iraqis so far have no stake in their country.
"The best thing we can do for the people of Iraq is to make them a stakeholder in their own country,"
i guess it is the US who is the stakeholder!
i do not see anyway this can be turned around it is driving me crazy! this latest madness about sadr has completely overshadowed some very important news (funny how that happens, just a coincidence?)
Secret US plan for military future in Iraq. even tho they are talking about it in congress you will not hear a word of this in our western media. now iraqis have the added advantage of being secure in their compound neighborhoods! now their dictator is friends with the superpower! but still, iraqi have not shown to have any stake in their country! so we will keep doing what we have been doing, only we will find a way to get iraqis to pay us for it! after all, our economy is faultering for our role in the game!
iraq is a model, a model of how to control the masses while you strip resources from the country. but first you always need your alliances in the country. politicians? who are they serving? not iraqis.
I believe what is happening in and to Iraq is because the lack of politics.
it is politics, just the evil kind.
A 1000 Iraqi security forces members, including high ranking officers, refused to participate in the military operations against the Mehdi Army in Basra last week.
this figure does not square w/some reports. WAPO
The official said he estimated that 30 percent of the Iraqi troops abandoned the fight before a cease-fire was reached.
Omar, i think iraqis understand what is going on very well.
Shiite lawmaker Basem Sharif, a member of the Fadhila Party, which has strong support in Basra, said he does not question the government's authority to pursue outlaws. But he said Maliki failed to shore up support in parliament before sending troops into Basra.
"Every big military operation should be based on a political base so the military operation will succeed," Sharif said.
what does this line say to us?
"The forces which Maliki sent to Basra were not the type or size needed for city fighting, to confront Sadr," Saghir said.
not the type?????? 30% of the troops were not the type!!!!! 30% is more than 1000 troops.
He included 10,000 Shiite militia members in the Iraqi security forces in the last two weeks. What does that mean?
that he was replacing a lot more than 1000 of the wrong 'type'.
Jeez, Omar. I'm really surprised that you're back. Judging by your feverish conspiracy theorizing of a few days ago, I thought for sure that you would have already been flown down to sunny Guantanamo in one of those Jihadi fashion-statement orange jumpsuits. But I guess not, huh?
Heh heh heh.
The blogosphere is beautiful.
*
8/03
"A gathering of political leaders with weak popular followings, very little in common between them, no bureaucratic apparatus and a clumsy nine-person rotating presidency at its helm, it is doubtful that it can become an effective decision-making body.
The principle behind the Interim Governing Council’s composition also sets a troubling precedent. Its members were chosen so as to mirror Iraq’s sectarian and ethnic makeup; for the first time in the country’s history, the guiding assumption is that political representation must be apportioned according to such quotas. This decision reflects how the Council’s creators, not the Iraqi people, view Iraqi society and politics, but it will not be without consequence. Ethnic and religious conflict, for the most part absent from Iraq’s modern history, is likely to be exacerbated as its people increasingly organise along these divisive lines."
not much has change,except for the worse
http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?l=1&id=1672
I'm glad to see your blog back up Omar! :)
I have mentioned before that the most capable politicians in Iraq are probably the tribal leaders. I know that the U.S. forces have cut deals with some of them. Somehow, I wish they could be encouraged to come together and cut deals with each other, especially leaders who have mixed Sunni and Shia tribal membership.
It is disturbing that Maliki may be trying to set himself up as a new dictator. I'm not sure that he could really do that though. Does he really have the backing of other powerful players like al-Hakim, or are the other players just allied to him because it suits them at the moment?
Elections are next year 24. Sunni's,and Shia to a much lesser extent,will probably go with the Awakening. Kurds will stick with their two secular parties. That means less than 20% of Shia would have to vote secular to get a secular majority in Parliament,which would mean a Prime Minister like Allusi or Allawi.
You're hanging out with the wrong people mon frere. Anyone who thinks Saddam was better than ANYONE or ANYTHING,with the possible exception of Zarqawi,needs their head examined. Nobody could be sicker than Zarqawi. Not even Saddam. 55% of Iraqis say their life is good today. Get with the program 24.
At 11:26 AM, 
Anyone who thinks Saddam was better than ANYONE or ANYTHING,....needs their head examined.
love the strawman maury. it is much easier argue 'thinking saddam better' than to argue what Omar said.
to the Iraqi they live in now, and believe that under Hussein the situation was much better.
you get with the program
55% of Iraqis say their life is good today.
55% of the ones they interviewed, which did not include any iraqis who are dead, living outside the country, living in the battle zones as i am sure they weren't interviewing people there, or living in the most dangerous neighborhoods.
so take your cheesy little bbc poll designed to prop up you propaganda and put it where the sun don't shine, because any ration being can see 5 years of war has left iraq in much worse condition than anything during saddam time, including the iran/iraq war.
no amount spin or chastising or attitude or rudeness is going to obscure that FACT. you Get with the program.
annie
"55% of the ones they interviewed, which did not include any iraqis who are dead, living outside the country, living in the battle zones as i am sure they weren't interviewing people there, or living in the most dangerous neighborhoods." -Annie
Annie, you are a wonderful artist but you really suck at math. In 2007 there were 29 million people estimated still living in Iraq. Just to drop the number of Iraqis to an even 50% answering "better" to this question would require a full 3 million people all uniformly praising Saddam's era. To lower that to a clear minority would take tens of millions all unanimously longing for the good ol' days. You honestly think everyone who left Iraq did so because they thought Saddam's era was better? Or because they could now that he wasn't around to stop them? I point to Mojo's family as counter examples to that claim.
I agree with you that a poll is just a poll, and polls have flaws, but come on! Face reality. The fact is there are tens of millions of people who are very glad Saddam is gone despite the terrible cost. Please wake up and admit it.
K
At 4:37 PM,
Just to drop the number of Iraqis to an even 50% answering "better" to this question would require a full 3 million people all uniformly praising Saddam's era......The fact is there are tens of millions of people who are very glad Saddam is gone despite the terrible cost.
more strawmen. the poll says their life is 'good today'. nothing about saddam or whether their life is 'better' than under saddam.
You honestly think everyone who left Iraq did so because they thought Saddam's era was better?
strawman, people left because they felt their life was in danger. obviously.
annie
haven't heard ANYTHING in the western press about this DRACONIAN farce of illegal permanent infringment on iraq's sovereignty.
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the long-term agreement between the United States and Iraq, or better stated between bush and maliki because apparently congress is being left out of the loop.
classic
"It was very difficult to discern the difference" between Republicans and Democrats, [Satterfield] acknowledged. He jokingly summarized lawmakers' views this way: "Other than the fact that it violates the Constitution, statute law, common sense and the overwhelming judgment of the American people, this is a sensible thing to do."
sensible? letting king george (cheney) make binding agreements!!!
Please wake up and admit it.
yeah right, i am going to listen to you instead of our host, an iraqi. pretending iraqis prefer having their country RUINED, INVADED,OCCUPIED, NO SECURITY OTHER THAN WARLORDS AND MILITIAS and of course the invader who is carrying out bombing campaigns in their capital, last night killing 13....
annie
please, you insult our intellegence.
At 4:48 PM,
The witnesses said U.S. aircraft had been bombarding the area for hours, and media reported rockets slamming into houses and many casualties.
...
Kuwaiti paper AlQabas puts it together this way:
"[The main fighting yesterday involved] advance of American tanks and Iraqi armed forces yesterday night to Sadr city, where there was a gigantic fight, and before that the assassination of the director of the Sadr office in Najaf, and in the meantime [we] confirmed the return of Moqtada AlSadr to Najaf from Iran..."
Whether there were actually 50 American tanks involved in this, (as the RTI link says) in any event this was a major pitched battle, not just some spinoff from a law-enforcement operation. Also: the way this (and other accounts) reads, the plain reading of the events is that of a series of provocations including the assassination and the multi-tank attack on Sadr City, moreover the assassination took place just after the return to Najaf of Moqtada himself....... there is the act that this comes right after the conciliatory remarks by Sadr.
AND, the US is doing this when our pet is saying...
Baghdad, Apr 11, (VOI) – General David Petraeus, the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, said Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is a "leader of an important and legitimate political movement," urging the Iraqi government, in whose selection Sadr was a kingmaker, to recognize and deal with it.
nothing like offering a carrot when you are pounding yer stick. oh yeah, i'm sure iraqis are just lovin it.
hearts and minds... got more polls lol
annie
"55% of the ones they interviewed, which did not include any iraqis who are dead"
Isn't it safe to assume 100% of Iraqi's in paradise are happy,and 100% of those in hell are miserable Annie? Let's call that one a push.
Of course,by 24's reasoning,100% of Iraqi's who moved to Syria are happy too. It's a Baath paradise,full of secret police,with "security" out the yazoo. Too bad they weren't included in the poll.
Isn't it safe to assume 100% of Iraqi's in paradise are happy,and 100% of those in hell are miserable ......100% of Iraqi's who moved to Syria are happy too. It's a Baath paradise
thanks for chiming in maury. you demonstrate perfectly the logic required to believe 55% of Iraqis say their life is good today. .
Except that now Iraqis have a chance to win the war and forge their own future. Something they never had before.
It's also and unfair comparison from saddam to now. Now is a war. You make it sound like "now" is after the war, which is just silly
America was a big hell hole during the civil war, yet I don't hear you complaining about 600,000 people that died, or the cities that burned, Sherman's march through Georgia.
At 10:18 AM,
Except that now Iraqis have a chance to win the war and forge their own future.
i am not even going to bother elaborating on what a ridiculous statement this is.
I don't hear you complaining about 600,000 people that died
that is because we are on an iraqi blog. don't pretend to know anything about the burden the civil war was for my family, or the losses we incurred. and DON"T pretend wounds that have taken over a century to heal (remnants of which still divide parts of the country) is supposed to be ANY consolation or justification for the condition of iraq from our illegal invasion and instigations. if you don't believe me read the next link.
meanwhile back in reality....
i fear summer 06 will pale in comparison to what is in store for iraqis.
The War on Sadr takes shape
What is important to realize is that (1) the Maliki administration, instead of leaving the Basra campaign as something to be eventually forgotten about, has instead explicitly locked itself into a military confrontation with the Sadrists, and (2) the decision to take this course was made in Washington, and the real declaration of war was the Gates comment. Since this is something that risks reigniting fitna in the country, it is important to realize where the decision was made to ignite this.
Because once again, the pundits and the corporate media together will be working to create the impression, as so often in the past, that this is another case of Iraqis chronically and perpetually at each others throats, with the American forces only trying to help sort things out. *
i heard the gates threat. i read sadr's response. i can hear bush's voice in maliki spokesperson, this is likely to get very ugly..
annie
"i am not even going to bother elaborating on what a ridiculous statement this is."
Sorry I forgot that under saddam they all had such a future...we evil American dare to compare.
What a sorry excuse for a human you are annie
"that is because we are on an iraqi blog."
But your living here "NOW". And of course the war is long over, but that was the point. Wait till the war is over before you make stupid comparisons to Iraq after the war.
"meanwhile back in reality...."
I don't think you have shown any competence in that field.
"i fear summer 06 will pale in comparison to what is in store for iraqis."
I agree with you there. The enemy of human kind is still not defected and as shown a willingness to do anything in it's power to keep Iraqis under it's thumb. There is no reason to believe that there willing to listen to reason or to give up their grip over the people.
Love having you back here!!!
: )
Nouri al-Maliki, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, Adnan al-Dulaimi and Muqtada al-Sadr and Bush and their teams; none of them choose peaceful means and Iraq has indeed been kidnapped by them.
“When they (Iraqis) compare the number of enemies and criminals in the streets now, and the number of threats they face these days to the one enemy they had under Hussein, which is the government itself, they realize that it was easier to survive under the former dictatorship than now. At least they knew the redlines and they tried not to cross them into the danger. But now, there are no redlines. Everyone is a target and for no reason. Just a target.”
The threat today is still the government, what has been added as you write is the enemies and criminals on the streets of Iraq.
The government is still putting itself above the law and so are many of the other groups too.
Important is also that the U.S freely volunteered Iraq to be an arena for what they call war on terror. They wanted terror to come to Iraq, they said it themselves since they said they were ready to fight it there to save US people from having the war back home. So what does a war on terror mean? We all know its not people coming over having fist fights with each other, spitting at each other and mud fights in tight t-shirts. It means exactly the death and destructions we see in Iraq today. The war they did not want back home is in Iraq now; letting Iraqis be killed and Iraq destroyed instead. So ALL these groups and policies are a threat to ordinary Iraqis day and night : (
“Sunni areas are dangerous for Shiites, and vice versa. We don’t have Iraqi provinces now. Instead, we have Shiite territories and Sunni territories. And in Baghdad, Diyala and Kirkuk, the only provinces where populations of different backgrounds still exist, they don’t live together; there are different neighborhoods for different sects and ethnicities. In Baghdad, they are separated by “separation walls.””
I have a relative who is a sunni, he still today live in a shiia new made district. His name is such that it can be thought he is shiia. The thing is his neighbours are shiia and they know of him and they are on his side keeping the secret. His family can no longer visit him his wife and children, since it would be difficult to keep the fact that he is sunni a secret from the militias then. As sad as this is it shows us that ordinary Iraqis really when ever given the smallest chance they do choose to see the enormous amount of similarities in each other and living together as normal!
Peace/
Nadia : )