Well, hell. Iraq's parliament sounds a touch like Congress.

[Robb]

I'm researching a pet theory that the "Iraq told us to leave and we left" narrative is tied to our enduring work trying to keep al-Maliki in power over there. Sort of like we let Karzai talk trash about the US whenever he wants to, because every time he does his internal numbers go up. Turns out in al-Maliki's case, it appears he needs all the help he can get. He's got a lot of promises to fulfill if he's going to live to see another term (literally, probably).

But I stumbled across this, and I had to chuckle a bit:

...Both al-Maliki’s Shiite-dominated bloc and the Sunni-dominated parties led by former Prime Minister Ayed Allawi had almost equal numbers of seats in the federal parliament after elections. Both tried to form a majority. Al-Maliki was the first to be able to do so, in October 2010 – and he did this by teaming up with Kurdish politicians, to whom he made several promises, and with other Shiite Muslim groups such as that led by the cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

This argument – that the biggest problem is the fact that the government doesn’t have a true majority - could be correct.

However the reality is that there is political elite in Iraq that is obsessed with power, rank and privilege – and they desire this regardless of price. Additionally the various blocs that make up the ruling coalition don’t see local politics as being about the art of compromise. No, they prefer arm twisting and deception to get their way. Making matters worse are the ever-widening divisions between the various blocs, as to what they want to achieve. A good example of this is the fact that Iraq still doesn’t have any ministers atop a number of very important ministries of security and defence.

(snip)

There is also a strange vengeful way of thinking that dominates Iraq’s political scene and which is reflected in the lack of concrete decisions being made. Political blocs continue to boycott decision making sessions and to obstruct the passing of laws. Their stances are not based on any sorts of values. Rather, they are based on tactics.....

Read more: http://www.niqash.org/articles/?id=2919

Remind you of anyone? :D

[leftstreet]

1. A political elite obsessed with power, rank and privilege. Shocking

Interesting article, thanks for posting

[Angry Dragon]

2. McCain says he is going to form a PAC in Iraq

to see if he could be a President there.
He also said he would take any other republican with him that wanted to go

[rustydog]

3. What? do they claim Iraq is a Christian Nation?

Family values, anti-gay, anti female (maybe, check, check).

[valerief]

8. Any religion will do for that. nt

[Enrique]

4. and that dysfunction makes them a "failed state"

hmmm.

[elleng]

6. And we're getting there too, 'thanks' to repugs seeking power.

Helluva world.

[elleng]

5. Yup, sure does.

[valerief]

7. Sounds just like a US colony. nt

[Renew Deal]

9. It sure does and it's very unhealthy.

[Arctic Dave]

10. Sounds like a prelude to, Iraq: Civil War Part Deux.

Stock up now before it all goes south again.