The press reports about Iraq’s new government have things backwards: before some Sunni Delegates staged their walkout, the parliament actually voted for a new government in Iraq–a solid government, including all factions (including Ayad Allawi’s secular shi’ite/Sunni coalition). The final deal was cut, I am told, by the three main principals–Allawi, Prime Minister Malaki and the Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani. The fourth person in the room was U.S. Ambassador Jim Jeffrey. That is significant: the final Iraqi government reflected U.S. hopes for a true coalition, not Iran’s desires for Shi’ite domination.
Since this is Iraq, the chances of the coalition falling apart are not minimal. There will be walkouts, various huffings and puffings. Sunni extremists are still igniting themselves, to the disgust of the vast majority of Iraqis. Iran will continue to have a major influence in Iraq. But Basra, the oil port, is booming–and there is hope for a stable future. And the Kurds role in bringing the Sunnis to the table bodes well for the nettlesome negotiations over who should control the northern oilfields, perhaps the tensest flashpoint in the country.
Yes, this came after a terrible war that should never have been fought. But there’s enough bad news in the world. This is good news. Pocket it. Exhale.