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Born at the Crest of the Empire

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Nobody knows what's going on in Iraq.

Why has violence gone down in Iraq? The US says it's "the surge" and the efforts of the enlisted tribal groups. The Iraqi government says it's the Iranians "helping rein in" the militias. The Iranians say it's a stronger Iraqi government.

It's funny, you'd think a "success" would claim lots of authors, not a bunch of people blaming each other.

Maybe that's because they all know that the "success" isn't really there.
While violence levels are declining in Iraq, there has been little progress in political reconciliation due to sectarian divides and lack of trust, Iraq's government spokesman said on Saturday.

Oh, and regarding the oil law my president said was about to be passed so many months ago, the Iraqis are now talking about abandoning it and trying to return to the original February text.

Also a mention that the Iraqi government is offering to provide buses from Syria for those who want to return.

Later: Anonymous points to this: (UPI) The U.S. State Department says an oil law implemented under Saddam Hussein is good enough for Iraq’s national government to sign oil deals, though it would prefer a new national law -- mired in controversy and far from approved -- to be used instead.

3 Comments:

  • Looks like Saddam's oil law wasn't so bad after all.

    http://tinyurl.com/2xa8ky

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10:53 AM  

  • great article in case you missed it.

    And regarding the oil, have you noticed the Kurds, meanwhile, are signing their own deals?

    A country in name only.

    By Blogger Praguetwin, at 11:21 AM  

  • Anon, that's pretty damn funny. I linked it up in the post.

    Praguetwin, I saw a remarkably similar article (in the WaPo/NYTimes?) even down to some of the quotes. I remember the rats/cats/dogs.

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 1:23 PM  

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