Article

2006-06-14 Iraq

'No Mercy' For Militants In Coming Baghdad Crackdown

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Fred 2006-06-14 00:00|| || Front Page|| [5 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Wouldn't like to be a Sunny in Baghdad when it happens.

Posted by gromgoru 2006-06-14 00:59|| 2006-06-14 00:59|| Front Page Top

#2 They'll section off the city and fumigate. The Tater march should be the first line of attack.

Posted by Captain America 2006-06-14 01:31|| 2006-06-14 01:31|| Front Page Top

#3 Tater is a partner in the Shia political block. He is protected and wields influence beyond the number of votes he controls. He was treated very respectfully by Jaafari - and Maliki was Jaafari's #2 in the Dawa Party, which leads the Shia block. Will that change? I doubt it.

I believe gromgoru is on-target - the evidence supports him. There may be some "show" put on regards the Shia militias, but will the ruling Shia block disarm one of their own? Not likely. A Baghdad cleanup, IMO, will be an anti-Sunni "insurgents" operation. Then there's the problem with southern Iraq - completely dominated by the Shia militias. The magnitude of the mess there is staggering. Iran is the key. Depose the Mullahs, and Iraq may become viable. Otherwise... I think not.

I'll wait and see if Maliki rises above his political and sectarian loyalties to become a real Iraqi leader, a PM for all Iraqis. That would be something to see, and something to cheer. There hasn't been much elapsed time since he rose to be the Dawa / Shia top dog, so the jury is still out on Maliki the man.

Actually, all evidence up to this point indicates the entire Shia block are Iranian agents. If anyone has substantive evidence otherwise, post it.

BTW -- The "hand to heart" gesture he made when he first saw Bush come walking out and shook hands was very interesting - and positive. A rather thin thread to hang hopes on, but it was genuine - and I'll wager Bush reinforced the positives when they spoke privately. Maybe Maliki will get it.

Posted by Clolurong Slavirong1205 2006-06-14 07:14|| 2006-06-14 07:14|| Front Page Top

#4 CS, you raise some good points.

Time will tell where Maliki's loyalties are: Is he a nationalist or a Shite pawn? I'm more with the glass half full crowd.

Posted by Captain America 2006-06-14 12:58|| 2006-06-14 12:58|| Front Page Top

#5 Indeed, time will tell. Personally, It's hard for me to trust the actions or motives of any Muslim political leader, but in Maliki's case, I hope for the best.

Posted by mcsegeek1 2006-06-14 20:53|| 2006-06-14 20:53|| Front Page Top

12:00 Doogl comments (UK)
11:57 Doogl comments (UK)
10:23 Doogl comments (UK)
09:28 Doogl comments (UK)
09:27 Doogl comments (UK)
07:50 Doogl comments (UK)
07:29 Doogl comments (UK)
07:21 Doogl comments (UK)
07:20 Doogl comments (UK)
04:37 Doogl comments (UK)
23:59 DarthVader
23:58 Rafael
23:56 Broadhead6
23:56 Sherry
23:47 Broadhead6
23:41 Broadhead6
23:38 BA
23:38 trailing wife
23:38 trailing wife
23:36 Broadhead6
23:36 Rafael
23:34 trailing wife
23:32 ed
23:31 BA