Sectarian Tensions Are Pushing Iraq To The Brink

[xchrom]

http://www.businessinsider.com/sectarian-tensions-are-pushing-iraq-to-the-brink-2013-1



The blood that has been spilt in Syria over the past two years has polarised the country and the region along sectarian lines. But while Syria is fracturing, the situation in Iraq is even more serious. The sectarian divides there are deeper, and at a more critical point. It is Iraq, not Syria, that is most likely to be torn apart by sectarianism, with ramifications for the entire region.

Iraq is much more polarised now than it was under Saddam Hussein. The bitterness and retribution of the civil war that followed the US occupation are still etched on people's minds. The regional and international rivalry for its rich oil resources is now greater than ever. Corruption is rife: today, Iraq is classified by Transparency International as being among the most corrupt countries in the world. In this oil-producing country already basic services and poor infrastructure are continuing to decline.

At a time when democratic leadership is needed to heal sectarian wounds and entrench national reconciliation, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has instead established an autocratic single-sect powerbase. By so doing, he has plunged Baghdad into a deep crisis, which has escalated in recent weeks with thousands taking to the streets in Sunni areas to protest against his Shia-led government.

In the 2010 elections, Iraqiya, a national, non-sectarian coalition, won 91 seats and gained a parliamentary majority, with two seats more than Maliki's State of Law coalition. But Iranian pressure ensured that Maliki emerged as the prime minister.


Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/sectarian-tensions-are-pushing-iraq-to-the-brink-2013-1#ixzz2IKS5iSwA

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. I'm sure they'll work it out

ON THEIR OWN.

[KG]

2. another american foreign policy success story!

and, you're welcome!

[bemildred]

3. It's going to get a lot worse before it stops. nt

[deutsey]

4. No...they're just still dancing in the streets

[hobbit709]

5. Who could have seen this coming?