I recently wrote a few diaries to keep people updated on the results of the Iraqi elections, which were being ignored elsewhere. In the process, it has become apparent to me that the widespread lack of interest for what is going on in Iraq is driven in large part not by people’s lack of interest or weariness of the topic, but by the confusion that people feel about what the proper US role in Iraq should be going forward, and what their own role and position should be.
It goes without saying that the Iraq invasion was a terrible mistake, a war crime, and that the military presence needs to end. But this doesn't end the discussion. Iraq has been devastated by US actions, losing about 10 percent of its population in the last 17 years of conflict with the US. Its society has been thrown into chaos, sectarian cleansings have reshuffled the population, and its political life is unsettled to say the least. Iraq's army, and the economy as a whole, depends entirely on US aid and support for its existence. Having created this situation, it seems obvious to me that the US has a continuing responsibility to the Iraqis. But what is this responsibility and how should it be carried out are much more complex questions, and I think a discussion of them would be very valuable at this time. Would you like to join me?