A Lost Cause?

Here is a very interesting conversation between two, award-winning Guardian reporters regarding their experiences in Iraq, views on the current situation, roots of the civil war, and where they see things going.

One of the most interesting insights is the role of Paul Bremer in creating a Shia/Sunni polarization that previously did not exist before the Americans invaded. The reporters claim that prior to 2003, no one in Iraq identified themselves as Sunni or Shiite. They were Iraqis first. They also say that Iraq had the highest inter-marriage rate between Sunnis and Shia in the Muslim world. Then there was the "American effort at social engineering in Iraq. And there was a simplicity to it. It was almost binary: Sunnis equal bad guys; Shia equal oppressed. We must empower the Shia, we must marginalise the Sunnis." And, now there is a civil war. (That's an oversimplification and it leaves out several aspects of their argument, but you'll just have to read the article.)

Perhaps most disturbing, though, is their thoughts on the possible success of partitioning. They feel that the Sunnis and Shia don't want this because both groups feel they can still defeat the other and take control of the country. Right now, the groups are locked in a land grab in order to seize as much territory as possible before the Americans leave, at which point, according the reporters, the "real" civil war will begin.

Frightening. Disturbing. Is there any hope for Iraq?