Thread: Lessons Learned, Lessons Ignored, Warning Signs Ignored

Three articles from today's papers that suggest the very simple premise that Iraqi leaders are really quite content to perpetuate their legacy of sectarian strife and indulgence of corruption.

Our legacy will be one of a partially fulfilled but, ultimately, a failed enterprise. The partners we hastily accepted will prove no better than those whom ultimately to made someone as draconian as Saddam Hussein a viable alternative.

Read 'em and weep-

For Every Iraqi Party, An Army Of Its Own- Najim Abed Al-Jabouri Op-Ed NYT

The former mayor of Tel Afar, it was his cooperation with then Col. H.R. McMaster in early/mid 2005 that pointed the way to Iraq's slow stabilization. All along the way, though, the overwhelming perception I received from my readings was that the horrid YANKS were seen as the only arbiters of equity and goodwill. All others carried a more insidious and deadly agenda.

Mark Santori of the NYT brings us this report on the still pervasive and deeply penetrating onus of corruption. I don't care where or with whom we're dealing, our efforts are doomed to fail when faced with the misery that defines the end product of corrupt leadership and the lackey/cronies it happily captures. Not Iraq, not Afghanistan, nor any other place we venture. Until we learn how to turn the perspectives of our partners or find better ones with which to attach our prestige we look like bumbling fools using our tax-dollars to line the pockets of brigands and criminals-

Pervasive Corruption Rattles Iraq's Fragile State- NYT 29 Oct. 2009

Finally, the war between the states is coming to a head, IMV. These kiddies HAVE NOT learned how to share the sandbox on their playground nor do I think they shall-

Kurds Plan To Boycott Iraqi Vote On Kirkuk-WSJ 29 Oct 2009

Geez, and I haven't even read the REALLY bad news yet out of Afghanistan.

What a massive fcukup.