Iraq Press Roundup

The future of Iraq as seen by the new U.S. administration

A renewed focus is needed on a unified vision of Iraq independent of Iranian influence or forces allied with the American occupation, Shabab al-Iraq said Tuesday.

The United States invaded Iraq on the premise that it posed a threat to U.S. national security from weapons of mass destruction, despite the fact Iraq is thousands of miles away from American shores. History, the paper said, will never forgive the United States for its illegal invasion and subsequent destruction.

The Iraqi resistance movement was effective in deterring the United States and other military powers from allying to invade other countries. The honorable resistance also prevented a long-term occupation advocated by U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who said victory in Iraq was not possible with a timetable for a troop withdrawal.

The future of Iraq is unlikely to be decided by people who are afraid to move through the streets without their security entourage. It is also unlikely to be decided by so-called experts and analyst who only know how to spew rhetoric at the mosques.

The future of Iraq, the article said, is in the hands of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and his circle of advisers. Obama is likely to encourage the Iraqi government to negotiate with insurgents, members of the anti-American Sadrist Movement and other opposition groups.

Beyond that, the United States is obligated to help the Iraqi government rebuild the war-torn country to further promote national stability.

America is the devil, except Bush

Outgoing U.S. President George W. Bush saved the culture and civilization of Iraq when he advocated the ouster of Saddam Hussein as the world stood idle, Sot al-Iraq commented Tuesday.

Bush helped remove Iraq from U.N. Chapter 7, declaring Iraq a threat to the international community and helping eliminate debts left from the invasion of Kuwait.

Few people, however, were amused when Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi insulted Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the visiting Bush by throwing his shoes at the American president. It should be noted, the commentary said, that the tolerance of Bush and the new transparency in the Iraqi media saved Zaidi's life. Such an incident would not have occurred without the positive influence of the American president.

Several minority parties in the Iraqi government are content with expressing their frustrations as Zaidi did, but that is ineffective as the government continues to make concessions and display obedience toward an occupying power.

When will Iraq be stable and peaceful?

After decades of repression and a thriving insurgency, Iraq needs careful observation and guidance to sustain the recent security gains, the independent al-Mada commented Tuesday.

The security situation in Iraq stabilized when the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki set about pursuing terrorists and their supporters throughout the country. Meanwhile, civilian tips to security forces have helped the government rein in these attackers as well.

These are positive signs, but they are fragile as simmering conflicts and other problems would reverse these gains.

Preventing the establishment of sectarian-based political parties, while encouraging the federal and Kurdish governments to cooperate, are ways to bring long-term stability to Iraq.

Apart from that, the government must focus on economic recovery to bring reconstruction projects to Iraq and provide an environment that encourages the millions of displaced families and professionals to return to their homeland for a brighter future.

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(Edited by Daniel Graeber)