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01/20/2005 Archived Entry: "The Way Out of Iraq: Decentralizing the Iraqi Government"

Posted by steve @ 01:40 AM EST [Link]

HOW TO GET OUT OF IRAQ: Ivan Eland, whose new book The Empire Has No Clothes: U.S. Foreign Policy Exposed I reviewed for this week's issue, has released an interesting report about what he sees as the future of Iraq.

Eland argues that things don't necessarily have to go to hell if American soldiers leave the country soon after the elections if Iraqis are granted real self-determination. He believes that a decentralized Iraqi state may be the best bet because of the fractured ethnic, religious and tribal nature of the country, and not a federalized state like Americans enjoy.

From the summary:

The only hope for Iraq is a deliberate decentralization of power, the study argues. The alternative likely will be an uncontrolled rush toward civil war. The United States needs to cancel what is likely to be seen as a failed and illegitimate election and immediately call together a legitimate national conclave of the various groups (perhaps along the Afghan model) and allow them to negotiate among themselves for genuine self-determination. Even radical and insurgent leaders must be part of this process, and the United States must take a hands-off attitude toward the conclave to make it legitimate in the eyes of the Iraqis.

Well, there's no chance in hell that the election will be called off but I think Eland does make some interesting points in his report. You can find it here.