Saudis Waiting for an Iraqi Godot, Arab Delusions Persist...........
“Estimates now strongly favor Nuri al-Maliki to form the next Iraqi government. This comes amid clear signs that the Kurds wills support Maliki, especially in view of the statements of Vice Presidnet Tareq al-Hashimi (Sunni Islamist) that an “Arab” should be president of Iraq…......”
Al-Hashimi did damage to his Iraqiya coalition ( Allawi, etc), not that it had any chance of winning. Results seem to be shifting toward strong showing by State of Law (al-Maliki), Iraqi National (ISCI, Sadr, etc), and of course the Kurds. Looks like the same groups that won last time are winning this time. The ruling coalition will be mostly made up of the same, with some support from smaller Sunni Arab parties.
Statements by al-Hashimi, and writings by former Baathists officials in Arab media seem to indicate that much of the former elites of Iraq, as well as surrounding Arab oligarchies, have not come to terms with a different Iraq. A former Saddamist general (W. al-Samarrai) wrote in the Saudi Asharq Alawsat today suggesting that the electoral process should be stopped until things are set “straight”.
The former Iraqi elites, and the surrounding Arabs, are delusional.
Iraq now truly represents its people more than ever before in its history. It will not be an Iranian pawn, but it will not again become a bulwark of a despotic Arab system that badly needs overhaul. The sooner the former elites and their Arab paymasters realize that, the better for everyone.
The Saudis have never sent an ambassador to Iraq, waiting for Allawi (or preferably Sunni general) to form a cabinet. It looks like they will have to wait five more years now, at least.
Cheers
mhg
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