Article

2008-05-05 Iraq

Basra incidents "turning point" in Iraq's political chessboard, analysts reckon

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Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2008-05-05 11:14|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top
File under: Mahdi Army

#1 The reduction of the Mahdi army also represents the last major internal obstacle to Iraq's sovereignty. From this point, the threat becomes an external one, specifically Iran and Syria.

This means the mission of the Iraqi military can more and more be devoted to external threats, which in itself is unifying.

The next big test will be their upcoming elections, in which Iraq will finally be able to fully look at itself. All doubts about the fairness and accuracy of the election will be quashed, because it will be both without duress and as inclusive as can be.

The critical elements still missing from their defense structure *must* at least start to be filled by the time of the US presidential elections. We must all assume the worst, and Iraq must embark on an overnight defense build up.

We must leave the Iraqis with a shopping list of must have procurement, as well as a training and operational timetable of what to do when we leave, if it comes to that.

Posted by Anonymoose 2008-05-05 11:44|| 2008-05-05 11:44|| Front Page Top

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