Iraq: Bush and the Routing Democrats
Rizwan Ghani
April 09, 2007
Bush’s reiteration of his veto resolve over Iraq bill in his last (Friday) radio address has initiated a route in Democrat camp leaving Democrat leadership including Pelosi wondering future strategy over Iraq bill while both liberal and conservative democrats are in stampede to push forward their points of view to the public.
Sen. Levin has openly said that there will be no fund-cuts and has instead pushed for more pressure on Iraqi government to meet the bench marks. According to the senator so far Malki government has failed to meet 15 benchmarks out of total 17. Senator has urged the Iraqi leaders to take political risks just as the American troops are risking their lives.
Democrats believe that Iraqi leadership has been dragging its feet on oil draft meant to address the issue of equitable distribution of country’s natural resources including oil amongst all Iraqis including minorities. Similarly, Iraqi parliament’s de-Bathification bill has been killed by grand ayatollah Sustani. It is a blow to prospects of political reconciliation immediate future.
This is where Levin has fallen in step with Bush who in March said that Iraqi leaders are not doing enough.
The liberal Democrats however maintain that Iraq needs a political solution not military solution. And time is running out for that. Funding troops without restrictions including timeline for withdrawal may not be the ideal way forward.
Republican Sen. Kyle has however put Iraqi stability ahead of discussion towards political settlement. And (he) went on to accuse Democrats of micromanaging the war.
But from Republican’s perspective the timing of Sadar’s calls to unite against US forces is another blow to Bush’s surge strategy after Sen.
McCain’s “correction” of his orchestrated “rosy” assessment showing Baghdad neighborhood awash in peace and tranquility with comments that it was an error has brought back question on new Iraq strategy. Sen.’s course correction has not only hit his personal but is also a blow to Republican spin that Iraq troop surge policy is showing results.
The reports of US Army reserves growing thin back home and the ground troops stretched thin are news that few in the White House would like to have at this stage.
Bush is pushing the pedal on Democrats to hurry up and release the funds by April 15 or else troops suffer. The Democrats however may not be moving that quick on the issue as they have their assessments backed by the independents telling things will be manageable till July. It gives enough time to Pelosi and top Democrat leadership to come up with a plan and for the time being Bush might be in to test powers and may in fact find himself actually pushed to veto the Iraq bill.
The veto will allow Pelosi to laugh last at this stage who in turn will turn to America and tell them, “Look Democrats have upheld their election promise to bring back troops from Iraq”. Don’t forget while voting in ’08 presidential elections it is the Republicans and their president who ignored your wishes. Worry not your (public’s) wish is our command and Democrats will not rest until the job is done.
And like bad news good news in this case are not short of company. Reports auger “stinking revelations” in coming days as Juliani’s national security case will progresses. And even before that with reports of Gingrich faulting Gonzales point blank the Republicans may be heading for a plate full and it would be interesting to see how the juggle through it all.
Having said that it would be equally interesting to see Pelosi managing her own bleating and mewing divided herd over post veto Iraq bill and come forward with practical Iraq strategy that could gel the Democrats first before she expects the Republicans to join her.
And Republicans will not give up that easily over Gonzales because for a start it is keeping likes of Leahy tied while Democrats struggle over Iraq. It is good they took their time to prepare credible case for Gonzales departure but for me it is the question marks over management of justice department that are more important at this stage in addition to the details of holding information. The minute Democrats balance these rationally before the public it would be the end of Gonzales.
As for the Iraq plan Iowa Gov. Thompson made sense. He proposed a plan for equitable distribution of oil resources based on Arkansas natural resources plan in which center, region and individuals have equal shares. However, it can be further improved by following Norwegian model of using oil resources in which 10 percent income goes to companies, remaining 90 percent to national exchequer out of which only 4 percent is released in national economy annually while remaining deposits are for public’s future pension.
In addition to legislation of just oil law ensuring equitable distribution amongst all Iraqis including minorities backed by American guarantee things could and should change positively. More efforts are needed to convince Baghdad to go for “De-bathification” for multiple reasons including democratic representation of Sunnis in running the country.
It will help keep Iraq united. Something that will not only undermine Arab apprehensions about division of Iraq but can bring entire Gulf on board.
De-bathification in itself has strategic implications. Any progress on the issue in Iraq will open possibilities to engage anti-Kabul forces in Afghanistan, northern Pakistan and could help restore normalcy in Mogadishu, Somalia where reports genocide has fueled assertions warlords on return to power like the past will spread death and destruction rather than respecting local and international law.
Further in terms of Iraq Pelosi can cobble a combination of timeline and benchmark to push Malki government to accept responsibility. And current outline (give or take few months) is practical and do able. Iraq will stand on its legs if a practical and just oil law is put in place and Malki government actually allows minorities their legitimate share in power. It can be a way forward out of the current impasse within Democrats, with White House, within Iraq and in the Gulf.
American ground forces commander reportedly in end 2006 revealed that some 3, 50,000 Iraqi security forces have been trained. If true it is a considerable if not optimal number for a country to secure itself and current population level supports such an assertion.
Pelosi’s ME visit should help her get the support of neighboring countries. They otherwise have time and again shown their resolve of non-interference in Iraq. In light of ISG recommendations she already has met Syria and with engagement of Iran things could be rolling. If it is not easy it is not impossible either.
However, those outside America strongly believe that internal security is the main problem for Iraq that by and large rests on equitable sharing of oil resources between all stake holders and power sharing including debathification. And its resolution is the key to Iraq plan and its security. And those having keen eye can easily discern between actual effects of interference by Iran and Iraq and implied.
And to bring back the US troops Democrats have to climb the mountain of resistance that Bush has laid between himself and the Capitol Hill. How Pelosi treads over it in coming days will be of interest and that could have strategic implications for the country. If she can sell Bush Hagel’s perception that Iraq is not a trophy to be won and it is time to let 25 million Iraqis run their own country. There might be hope for us all. But instead of ground realities a lot more depends on how Bush interprets things over Iraq.
Finally, the road to any such destination has to start with bringing the liberal and conservative Democrats together and that is only possible with a practical Iraq plan. And only then should Pelosi be looking at Republican support in national interest. It is a huge challenge but then so are the aspirations and hopes of American public who voted for change. It is time to turn pledges into reality. Something the politicians are supposed to do.
Rizwan Ghani.
Sen. Levin has openly said that there will be no fund-cuts and has instead pushed for more pressure on Iraqi government to meet the bench marks. According to the senator so far Malki government has failed to meet 15 benchmarks out of total 17. Senator has urged the Iraqi leaders to take political risks just as the American troops are risking their lives.
Democrats believe that Iraqi leadership has been dragging its feet on oil draft meant to address the issue of equitable distribution of country’s natural resources including oil amongst all Iraqis including minorities. Similarly, Iraqi parliament’s de-Bathification bill has been killed by grand ayatollah Sustani. It is a blow to prospects of political reconciliation immediate future.
This is where Levin has fallen in step with Bush who in March said that Iraqi leaders are not doing enough.
The liberal Democrats however maintain that Iraq needs a political solution not military solution. And time is running out for that. Funding troops without restrictions including timeline for withdrawal may not be the ideal way forward.
Republican Sen. Kyle has however put Iraqi stability ahead of discussion towards political settlement. And (he) went on to accuse Democrats of micromanaging the war.
But from Republican’s perspective the timing of Sadar’s calls to unite against US forces is another blow to Bush’s surge strategy after Sen.
McCain’s “correction” of his orchestrated “rosy” assessment showing Baghdad neighborhood awash in peace and tranquility with comments that it was an error has brought back question on new Iraq strategy. Sen.’s course correction has not only hit his personal but is also a blow to Republican spin that Iraq troop surge policy is showing results.
The reports of US Army reserves growing thin back home and the ground troops stretched thin are news that few in the White House would like to have at this stage.
Bush is pushing the pedal on Democrats to hurry up and release the funds by April 15 or else troops suffer. The Democrats however may not be moving that quick on the issue as they have their assessments backed by the independents telling things will be manageable till July. It gives enough time to Pelosi and top Democrat leadership to come up with a plan and for the time being Bush might be in to test powers and may in fact find himself actually pushed to veto the Iraq bill.
The veto will allow Pelosi to laugh last at this stage who in turn will turn to America and tell them, “Look Democrats have upheld their election promise to bring back troops from Iraq”. Don’t forget while voting in ’08 presidential elections it is the Republicans and their president who ignored your wishes. Worry not your (public’s) wish is our command and Democrats will not rest until the job is done.
And like bad news good news in this case are not short of company. Reports auger “stinking revelations” in coming days as Juliani’s national security case will progresses. And even before that with reports of Gingrich faulting Gonzales point blank the Republicans may be heading for a plate full and it would be interesting to see how the juggle through it all.
Having said that it would be equally interesting to see Pelosi managing her own bleating and mewing divided herd over post veto Iraq bill and come forward with practical Iraq strategy that could gel the Democrats first before she expects the Republicans to join her.
And Republicans will not give up that easily over Gonzales because for a start it is keeping likes of Leahy tied while Democrats struggle over Iraq. It is good they took their time to prepare credible case for Gonzales departure but for me it is the question marks over management of justice department that are more important at this stage in addition to the details of holding information. The minute Democrats balance these rationally before the public it would be the end of Gonzales.
As for the Iraq plan Iowa Gov. Thompson made sense. He proposed a plan for equitable distribution of oil resources based on Arkansas natural resources plan in which center, region and individuals have equal shares. However, it can be further improved by following Norwegian model of using oil resources in which 10 percent income goes to companies, remaining 90 percent to national exchequer out of which only 4 percent is released in national economy annually while remaining deposits are for public’s future pension.
In addition to legislation of just oil law ensuring equitable distribution amongst all Iraqis including minorities backed by American guarantee things could and should change positively. More efforts are needed to convince Baghdad to go for “De-bathification” for multiple reasons including democratic representation of Sunnis in running the country.
It will help keep Iraq united. Something that will not only undermine Arab apprehensions about division of Iraq but can bring entire Gulf on board.
De-bathification in itself has strategic implications. Any progress on the issue in Iraq will open possibilities to engage anti-Kabul forces in Afghanistan, northern Pakistan and could help restore normalcy in Mogadishu, Somalia where reports genocide has fueled assertions warlords on return to power like the past will spread death and destruction rather than respecting local and international law.
Further in terms of Iraq Pelosi can cobble a combination of timeline and benchmark to push Malki government to accept responsibility. And current outline (give or take few months) is practical and do able. Iraq will stand on its legs if a practical and just oil law is put in place and Malki government actually allows minorities their legitimate share in power. It can be a way forward out of the current impasse within Democrats, with White House, within Iraq and in the Gulf.
American ground forces commander reportedly in end 2006 revealed that some 3, 50,000 Iraqi security forces have been trained. If true it is a considerable if not optimal number for a country to secure itself and current population level supports such an assertion.
Pelosi’s ME visit should help her get the support of neighboring countries. They otherwise have time and again shown their resolve of non-interference in Iraq. In light of ISG recommendations she already has met Syria and with engagement of Iran things could be rolling. If it is not easy it is not impossible either.
However, those outside America strongly believe that internal security is the main problem for Iraq that by and large rests on equitable sharing of oil resources between all stake holders and power sharing including debathification. And its resolution is the key to Iraq plan and its security. And those having keen eye can easily discern between actual effects of interference by Iran and Iraq and implied.
And to bring back the US troops Democrats have to climb the mountain of resistance that Bush has laid between himself and the Capitol Hill. How Pelosi treads over it in coming days will be of interest and that could have strategic implications for the country. If she can sell Bush Hagel’s perception that Iraq is not a trophy to be won and it is time to let 25 million Iraqis run their own country. There might be hope for us all. But instead of ground realities a lot more depends on how Bush interprets things over Iraq.
Finally, the road to any such destination has to start with bringing the liberal and conservative Democrats together and that is only possible with a practical Iraq plan. And only then should Pelosi be looking at Republican support in national interest. It is a huge challenge but then so are the aspirations and hopes of American public who voted for change. It is time to turn pledges into reality. Something the politicians are supposed to do.
Rizwan Ghani.
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