U.S. strategy to neutralize Sadr by creating a coalition of rivals might actually be backfiring

[maddezmom]

Anti-Sadr effort lacks support
U.S. strategy to neutralize militant leader by creating a coalition of rivals might actually be backfiring, observers note
By Hannah Allam
McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS
BAGHDAD, Iraq - An American-led initiative to sideline militant cleric Muqtada Sadr by bolstering support for his political rivals has gained little traction in Baghdad and may even have strengthened Sadr's hand, according to interviews Friday with several Iraqi politicians and clerics involved in the talks.

The effort to assemble a political bloc of so-called moderates to counter Sadr's growing influence was one of the recommendations National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley made in a secret White House memo that was leaked last month. U.S. officials hope such a coalition would ease Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's dependence on support from Sadr, whose followers, U.S. officials say, are responsible for much of the violence now convulsing Baghdad.

But few Iraqi politicians have been willing to go along with the plan, which was riddled with problems from the onset, Iraqi officials said. U.S. backing for a new coalition has allowed Sadr to portray his opponents as American lackeys, they added.

"This idea was a non-starter," said Haider Abadi, a lawmaker and senior member of Maliki's Islamic Dawa Party. "The U.S. administration is under pressure. They want to win public opinion by showing some form of progress, without knowing the situation on the ground. ... It caused more problems than it solved."

more:http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/16306175.htm?source=rss&channel=cctimes_news

[rodeodance]

1. let them fix their own squabbles.

[ixion]

2. gee, some policy this WH made is backfiring... go figure

:eyes:

[mediaman007]

3. I thought these guys were the grownups! Hadley couldn't teach

elementary school.

I have taught for more than 35 years. One of the things you find out first, is that the locals (students) will never side with the occupier (teacher), period. The Iraqis are going to be loyal to their own first. Its human nature.

I think that this NEOCON group is lost in its own fantasy land. They have benefited from the efforts of generations before them. Americans who lived before them worked and sacrificed to create this country and establish relationships with other countries.

[justice1]

4. The mistake was having Bush doing the talking for the U.S.