To paraphrase Winston Churchill, “This is the beginning of the end.”
If one’s there for the take-off, one might as well enjoy the landing. This blog has been forthright about the difficulties Iraq has had pulling together its first democratically-chosen government. Now al-Maliki has done it. He has a complete cabinet—Defense Minister, Interior Minister, intelligence chief. These are the key appointments, and Iraq under al-Maliki is now ready to govern. Thank goodness.
The very same day, Iraq, the U.S., and the Willing Coalition are rid of Abu Musab al Zarqawi and other top leaders of al Qaeda in Iraq. To me, Zarqawi’s elimination is extremely important in the battle against Iraqi terrorism. In group politics, when the faction leader dies, the faction disappears. I don’t doubt the insurgency continues, including the Sunni-based insurgency. But the effective leader of the most effective base is gone. And Iraq has a big, new reason to start believing in its future.
For another discussion of the significance of Zarqawi’s departure, see Christopher Hitchens’ Slate article here.
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