Reports on progress in Iraq have become a daily newsmaker. With a new report pointing towards lack of improvement in the conflict-marred Iraq, the credibility of the earlier reports stand as a question and the only successful addition to the new report is de-Baathification goal.
Efforts are underway to bring more of Saddam Hussein’s Baath Party members into the mainstream political scenario of the country, a step towards curbing the flaring violence that has engulfed the entire country. Soon after the occupation, the proactive U.S. policy of de-Baathification to end every remnant of Saddam era went astray. The Sunnis were left neglected and disenchanted with their political and economic exclusion from Iraq mainstream. This has led to ever-increasing conflict between the Shias-Sunnis and Arabs-Kurds.
Unable to stem the tide of sectarian conflict, the U.S. is now trying to find succor in inclusion of Sunni leaders in political mainstream sans their Baath Party affiliation. But, it is really to see if the policy is to succeed or not. In Syria, the Baath Party is in power and has close links with Iraqi Baath Party members. This connection is a great stumbling block in the de-Baathification in the Arab world.
I really ponder over why the U.S. is considering former terror affiliated political organization like Baath Party in Iraq and Syria, Hamas in Palestine, and rebel groups of Congo as pariahs and stubborn to have political talks even if it has the potential to herald peace in war-devastated lands.
Via: MSN
