High Five to Iraq Tribes

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1009/p01s04-wome.html

Reconciliation in Iraq must start at the tribal level.

Lucky for Iraq that these local structures already exist to aid in the peace process. They can be like the "Truth and Reconciliation Commissions' of Rwanda and South Africa.

Tribes have already proved their worthiness in turning the tides in Iraq; they (the 'Sons of Iraq', or 'The Awakening'), not the surge as many politicians would like us to believe (see post on Bing West's great new book "The Strongest Tribe: War, Politics, and the Endgame in Iraq"), are responsible for the recent drawdown of violence.

Tribal incorporation into a state system will be required to maintain security in Iraq and therefore legitimize the state.

They hate us!!

Wait, I thought they hated us. They hate our freedom, our culture, our democracy. But they love Friends in Gaza and Oprah in Saudi? HOW can I reconcile these conflicting viewpoints. Wait, I know, they don't hate us.

People in the ME love our culture and our way of life but they don't want it shoved down their throats with tanks and guns. Also they hate our ineffctive uneven policies in the region. (See my post "Foreign Hypocrisy" for starters and this great brief article by John Esposito, "It's the Policy Stupid: Political Islam and the US Foreign Policy")

I'M BACK!

After spending a summer in Syria, where this site is actually banned, I am back in the saddle.
I must admit, it wasn't just Syria that prevented me form writing, I was being lazy. I neglected my region, my people. I don't feel like I really neglected my readers, because I don't think I really have any. I'm actually pretty sure of it because I've actually only told my mom and possibly two other people about this blog, one of whom lives in Syria.