The New Sunni Jihad: 'A Time for Politics'

[ECH1969]

NORTH OF BAGHDAD -- For weeks before Iraq's constitutional referendum this month, Iraqi guerrilla Abu Theeb traveled the countryside just north of Baghdad, stopping at as many Sunni Arab houses and villages as he could. Each time, his message to the farmers and tradesmen he met was the same: Members of the disgruntled Sunni minority should register to vote -- and vote against the constitution.

"It is a new jihad," said Abu Theeb, a nom de guerre that means Father of the Wolf, addressing a young nephew one night before the vote.

For Abu Theeb and many other Iraqi insurgents, this canvassing marked a fundamental shift in strategy, and one that would separate them from foreign-born fighters such as Abu Musab Zarqawi, the Jordanian who leads the group al Qaeda in Iraq.

Two years of boycotting the process had only seen Sunnis marginalized while Iraqi's Shiite majority gained power. And Abu Theeb's entry into politics was born partly of necessity; attacks by Shiite militias, operating inside and outside the government security apparatus, were taking an increasing toll on Sunni lives.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/26/AR2005102602512_2.html?nav=rss_world/mideast

[bunyip]

1. I think that is great

Democracy is on the march, ironically. Despite all the neocons efforts to impose a right-wing dictatorship.

Yeah, the voting is corrupt as hell, but look at all the dead people and machines who vote in Western elections.

Iraq is NOT going to become the next El Salvador.

[LynnTheDem]

2. Iraq is NOT going to become a democracy.

Just like Afghanistan is not going to become a democracy.

[bunyip]

3. Iran is a democracy

Not exactly a role model, but they have elections and have had several peaceful transfers of power. They just had to kill or drive out the Shah and all the parasitic CIA puppets who had ruled them since the 1959 coup. Yes, Iranian democracy is a work in progress, but so is US democracy.

Iraq's new ruling cliques may be toppled Iran-style if US troop numbers fall low enough. Also, occupied countries sometimes become democratic in spite of all attempts to maintain dependent local oligarchies. South Korea is a good example.

Perhaps Iraq will follow suit. The article shows more potential than I would have expected.

Just like Afghanistan is not going to become a democracy

I agree, Afghanistan is not going to become democratic any time soon.

Government by local warlords and an economy based on supplying 80%+ of the world's heroin is proving to be both stable and useful to the CIA. It has certainly been useful for destabilizing Iran, which has a heroin problem that dwarfs that of any Western country. Its also making juicy profits that can be skimmed to fund things Congress won't touch.

[Toots]

4. Iran has a fake Democracy

It is still ruled by the Church. The one and only true voice of Power is the Kumini (sp) and he can and does overrule the President whenever he wishes. The President runs the bureaucracy will the Kumini (sp) runs the country.

[bunyip]

5. Somewhat exaggerated, but fair enough.

All democracies are fake democracies if you look at it that way. A certain country I know of had vote recounts stopped by the Supreme Court back in 2000. Even Khomeini has never done that.

One person, one vote doesn't apply to media barons, televangelists or billionaires in the West. Just like it doesn't apply to Mullahs in Iran.

Democracy is an ideal that can never be fully realized in this world. However, I believe more democracy is always better than less democracy. Iran is much more democratic now compared to when it was a US client.

Iraq - well, there is always hope. Nationalist guerrillas taking the day off from fighting to canvass for votes? I like it. Lets hope that continues when (if?) the US decolonizes.

[newyawker99]

6. Hi bunyip!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[bunyip]

7. Thankyou, newyawker!

:toast: